PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Seattle Mariners 8-4 in a thrilling 11-inning game on Monday night, highlighted by Josh Naylor’s game-winning grand slam. This victory came after the Diamondbacks overcame a late collapse and the loss of their closer, Justin Martinez, who exited with two outs in the ninth inning due to pitching elbow tightness. The Diamondbacks halted a three-game losing streak with this win.
Corbin Carroll helped set the pace for the Diamondbacks by launching a leadoff home run. Additionally, Naylor delivered an impressive performance with three hits and five RBIs. The team seemed to have a solid lead, entering the ninth inning with Martinez poised for the save, leading 4-0. Martinez managed to strike out both Jorge Polanco and Randy Arozarena, but after walking Dylan Moore on a full count, he was forced to leave the game. The Diamondbacks later confirmed his departure was due to tightness in his pitching elbow.
Jeff Brigham took Martinez’s place on the mound and was promptly tagged by Donovan Solano and Cole Young, who both hit RBI singles. Dominic Canzone then hit a towering 450-foot homer to right field, leveling the score 4-4. Canzone, previously acquired at the 2023 trade deadline, had been freshly called up from Triple-A and contributed significantly as a pinch hitter.
Reliever Juan Morillo played a crucial role by preventing further damage in the ninth inning, retiring Cal Raleigh with two Mariners aboard. Morillo continued his strong performance with a flawless 10th inning, and Jalen Beeks followed with a spotless 11th.
The climax of the game came when Josh Naylor, with the score still tied, smashed a grand slam in the 11th inning off Carlos Vargas, who was pitching his second inning of relief. Vargas had previously loaded the bases with a walk to Geraldo Perdomo after intentionally walking Ketel Marte.
On defense, Carroll exhibited his skills with an impressive sliding catch in the 11th inning, preventing Donovan Solano’s blooper from advancing Dylan Moore further. The Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher, Merrill Kelly, also delivered solid performance with six scoreless innings.
The Seattle Mariners, who currently have a record of 33-32, have now lost 11 of their past 15 games. They will look to Bryan Woo, who holds a 5-3 record with a 3.07 ERA, to start in the next game against Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt, who carries a 7-4 record with a 5.51 ERA.