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Ivory CoastPavin Smith Delivers Walk Off Home Run To Keep Diamondbacks in Playoff Race
Pavin Smith hit a game-ending home run in the ninth inning to give Arizona a 5-3 victory over the Yankees.
A Walk Off Blast in Phoenix
Pavin Smith stepped up as a pinch hitter on Saturday night and kept Arizona in the postseason chase. The left handed batter connected on a cutter from Michael Fulmer, sending the ball over the right field wall for a two run homer in the ninth inning. His blast secured a 5-3 win over the New York Yankees at Chase Field.
The win leaves Arizona four games behind Philadelphia for the final National League wild card spot with seven games left on the schedule. Manager Torey Lovullo has spent years backing his hitter. Lovullo stated that he is just trying to put players in the best position to succeed and reaffirmed his belief in Smith.
Bouncing Back from Adversity
Smith has faced a difficult road with Arizona after being taken seventh overall in the 2017 draft out of Virginia. He carries a .241 career batting average with 47 home runs and 0.0 wins above replacement. His year was derailed in March by bone spurs in his elbow that required surgery, sidelining him for about two months.
He returned to action on June 1, but he struggled to find his rhythm at the plate. Arizona designated him for assignment on July 9 when he was hitting .141. Smith cleared waivers after 29 other teams passed on him, leading to a stint with Triple A Reno where he worked to rebuild his swing and confidence.
Celebrating Franchise History
The finish came before a season-high crowd of 47,918 fans who gathered for the 25 year anniversary celebration of the team's 2001 World Series title against New York. Several franchise legends attended, including Luis Gonzalez, who drove in Jay Bell for a 3-2 win against Mariano Rivera in Game 7.
Smith noted that the stadium had a playoff atmosphere and that hitting a walk off on the celebration night felt great after wondering earlier in the year if he would ever hit again.
What it means for the next game
New York Yankees at Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB, Sun, 20 Sep): Arizona Diamondbacks win 38%, New York Yankees win 62%; projected score Arizona Diamondbacks 4, New York Yankees 5. Our safest pick: Yankees +1.5.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Colorado Rockies (MLB, Wed, 23 Sep): Colorado Rockies win 36%, Arizona Diamondbacks win 64%; projected score Colorado Rockies 5, Arizona Diamondbacks 6. Our safest pick: Rockies +3.5.
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