Deciding Moment
The Arizona Diamondbacks escaped Daikin Park with a 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros on Saturday, September 5, 2026. The decisive play came in the bottom of the 10th inning when Brandon Moreno singled to center field, allowing Jose Vargas to cross the plate and secure the win for the visitors.
With 36,470 fans in attendance, the game featured a tight pitching duel before the extra-inning drama unfolded.
Game Flow
Houston took an early lead in the third inning when Carlos Paredes singled to right field, scoring Alex Diaz and Trammell while moving Alvarez to second base. The Diamondbacks responded in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly by Perdomo that brought home Tawa, followed by an infield single by Paredes that scored Peña.
The Astros retied the game in the seventh inning when Nootbaar doubled to right field, driving in Tawa and sending Waldschmidt to third. In the eighth inning, Marte hit a solo home run to right field, traveling 388 feet, to put Houston back in the lead.
Pitching Performance
Brandon Pfaadt started for Arizona, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing seven hits and three earned runs on two walks and four strikeouts. Kevin Ginkel followed with 0.2 scoreless innings, surrendering no hits or walks while striking out one batter. Juan Morillo pitched one inning, allowing one hit without an earned run and striking out one.
Jonathan Loaisiga secured the win with one inning of work, allowing one hit and striking out two batters. Brandyn Garcia closed the game with one scoreless inning, striking out two batters without issuing a walk.
For Houston, Ethan Pecko started, pitching 4.1 innings while allowing five hits and one earned run on one walk and two strikeouts. Enyel De Los Santos pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out two batters without a walk. Kai-Wei Teng pitched 0.1 inning, allowing one hit and one earned run on two walks and one strikeout.
AJ Blubaugh took the blame, pitching 1.2 innings while allowing two hits and one earned run on two strikeouts. Josh Hader pitched one scoreless inning, striking out one batter. Bryan King pitched the final inning, allowing one hit without an earned run or a walk.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816819
