Diaz, Hampson homers lift Rockies past Diamondbacks 5-2

DENVER -- — Elías Díaz hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning after Garrett Hampson hit a game-tying two-run pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the eighth, lifting the Colorado Rockies past the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 on Saturday night.

Daulton Varsho homered and Ketel Marte had three hits and an RBI for the Diamondbacks, who lost their seventh in a row to the Rockies at Coors Field.

The Rockies registered their 12th win this season in their final at-bat while extending their overall winning streak to five and home winning streak to nine.

Charlie Blackmon blooped a single off J.B. Wendelken (2-2) to start the ninth. Trevor Story and C.J. Cron struck out before Ryan McMahon hit a high bouncer for an infield single, bringing up Díaz. During a 10-pitch at-bat, Díaz fouled off six pitches before connecting for his dramatic homer, sending the ball into the left field bleachers for his third career game-ending hit and second homer.

“Obviously, with the blooper and the ground ball base hit, it’s tough,” Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly said. “So we had (runners) at first and second and Díaz put together a great at-bat. It was just one of those pitches were a little bit up and he put a good swing on it. Sometimes, that’s just the way it goes.” Wendelken faced five batters and threw 33 pitches in the outing that ended in his confrontation with Díaz.

“I wanted to be aggressive and I wanted to end the game,” Díaz said through an interpreter. “I feel good in those situations. As a baseball player, those situations come up often and you want to be a part of that as much as possible. When you get that opportunity and you come through for the team, it just gives you an extra feeling of confidence and excitement.”

Daniel Bard (7-5) pitched a scoreless ninth for the win.

Zac Gallen pitched seven scoreless innings and struck out a season-high nine batters in a strong bid for his first win since April 25, but was instead left with another no-decision, extending his career-long winless streak to 13 games.

Noe Ramirez relieved to start the bottom of the eighth, trying to protect the Diamondbacks’ 2-0 lead.

He walked Díaz to start the inning. One out later, Hampson, batting for Tyler Kinley, connected for his second pinch-hit homer of the season and eighth overall to even the score at 2-2.

The Diamondbacks overcame a strong outing by Kyle Freeland to take a 2-0 lead. Varsho homered leading off the fifth, and Marte delivered a two-out RBI single in the same inning.

The start of the game was delayed 50 minutes by rain.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: RHP Luke Weaver, sidelined since mid-May with a strained right shoulder, could be nearing his big league return. Weaver pitched 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Reno on Friday night, allowing one run on three hits. He has gone 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three rehab starts with 18 strikeouts and four walks. Manager Torey Lovullo said team officials, in consultation with medical staff and Weaver, will consider whether his next appearance could be with the Diamondbacks. “We’ve got a lot of information that we’re going to put together and make our decision moving forward,” Lovullo said. “He’s getting very close. We just want to make sure the next decision is the right one.”

UP NEXT

Diamondbacks: RHP Taylor Widener (1-1, 4.59 ERA) is set to start Sunday’s series finale. His last win came on April 4 against San Diego in his season debut.

Rockies: RHP Jon Gray (7-9, 3.93 ERA) will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak when he takes the mound Sunday for his 23rd start of the season.

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