Pavin Smith had a remarkable performance on Sunday night, hitting three home runs and driving in a career-high eight runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 12-6 victory over the Houston Astros, ending their three-game losing streak.
Smith's three-homer game made him the second Diamondback this season to achieve this feat, with J.D. Martinez holding the team record with four home runs in a game back in 2017. His eight RBIs fell just short of the franchise record set by Erubiel Durazo in 2002.
Arizona's offensive outburst, scoring at least 10 runs for the 18th time this season, propelled them closer to the top wild card spot in the National League, trailing the San Diego Padres by just half a game.
Smith's first home run of the night came in the second inning, followed by a grand slam in the third off Justin Verlander, who struggled, allowing eight runs over three innings without recording a strikeout.
Despite Verlander's early exit, the Astros tried to mount a comeback, but Smith's solo home run in the fifth inning, his seventh of the season, helped secure the Diamondbacks' victory.
Smith expressed his confidence and focus during the game, acknowledging Verlander's pitching prowess and the importance of his early success at the plate.
On the Astros' side, Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz had notable performances at the plate, with McCormick batting .409 in his last six games since being recalled from Triple-A.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks are set to face the Texas Rangers, while the Astros will take on the Oakland Athletics in their next matchups.
Overall, it was a memorable night for Pavin Smith and the Diamondbacks, showcasing their offensive firepower and resilience to secure a crucial victory in the playoff race.
