MIAMI — Luis Arraez didn’t waste any time. The Miami Marlins’ star second baseman, out of the starting lineup for back-to-back days while dealing with a left index finger injury, made his way to the batter’s box to pinch-hit in the seventh inning of a tied game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. The go-ahead run was on third base.
Arraez saw one pitch, a sinker that was up and in. Arraez made contact.
And, as he does more often than not, Arraez got a base hit.
His single to shallow center field scored Jean Segura and gave the Marlins a lead they would not relinquish in a 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks at loanDepot park.
The Marlins have now won four consecutive games and five of their last six to improve to 8-7, their first winning record since they were 12-11 on May 3, 2022.
Arraez’s single improved his batting average on the season to .511 — 24 hits in 47 at-bats.
Before his single, the Marlins scored runs on a Garrett Hampson home run in the fifth inning and a Segura RBI single in the seventh two at-bats before Arraez drove in the go-ahead run. Segura’s hit scored Avisail Garcia, who doubled to lead off the inning.
Left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett put together another quality outing, holding the Diamondbacks (8-7) to one run on four hits and a walk over 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts. Garrett has allowed just three runs over 10 1/3 innings with 12 strikeouts in two starts since filling in for the injured Johnny Cueto.
Matt Barnes gave up a run on two hits and a balk in the seventh before Andrew Nardi, Huascar Brazoban and Tanner Scott tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings to seal the win. Scott recorded his first save of the season.
Up next
The Marlins close their series with the Diamondbacks at 1:40 p.m. Sunday. Sandy Alcantara will start on the mound for the Marlins opposite the Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen.
