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Diamondbacks' 'heartbeat' Vargas delivers big in comeback win over Reds
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- Diamondbacks' 'heartbeat' Vargas delivers big in comeback win over Reds
Ildemaro Vargas didn't figure to have much of a footprint with the Diamondbacks in 2026. But when they needed a first baseman early in the season, he filled the everyday role admirably and hit well.
These days, with Ketel Marte out for at least another week, Vargas has filled in at second base. His hitting isn't so hot as it was the first couple of months of the season, but at Chase Field against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, Aug. 23, Vargas came through in a critical situation.
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The veteran tripled into right-center field to drive in the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, lifting the Diamondbacks to a 5-3 win over the Reds and keeping Arizona from falling further back in the National League wild-card race.
"This team is built for big things," Vargas said in Spanish. "The most important thing is to maintain focus on the game, and get the big hit in the moment.
"The thing we have to do is win series, win games. We have good teams we're competing against right now, and the truth is we must do the little things, hit the ball hard when we're up and stay positive, and that will keep us in the fight."
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo called Vargas "the heartbeat of this ball club."
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"Very engaged player. Plays with energy," Lovullo said. "I think he's looked at as somebody that is leading the charge emotionally."
Vargas committed an error in the bottom of the ninth, and apologized to Lovullo at game's end.
"There's accountability, and I like that," Lovullo said. "Overall, he's taken an opportunity and made the most of it. He's going to continue to get some looks and help us win games."
Corbin Carroll added a sacrifice fly in the Diamondbacks' four-run seventh that took them from a two-run deficit to a two-run lead and got them a critical win and series victory.
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The Diamondbacks (69-62) stayed two games back of the San Diego Padres for the third wild-card spot in the NL.
Left-hander Mitch Bratt struggled for his second straight start, making it through only three innings as the Diamondbacks trailed 3-1 after six.
The starting pitching could be problematic, at least in the short term for the Diamondbacks, who are down another starter with right-hander Michael Soroka going on the 15-day injured list before the game. But on Sunday, the bullpen came up big when needed, shutting out the Reds for six innings with scoreless work from Gerardo Carrillo, Taylor Clarke , Jonathan Loaisiga , Juan Morillo , Brandyn Garcia and, for the final out, Kevin Ginkel .
Ginkel struck out the Reds' Tyler Stephenson with runners on first and second, earning his second save, and Loaisiga (5-3) was the winning pitcher.
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"Clearly the turning point was Carrillo coming in the game and giving us a chance to just get some stability," Lovullo said.
Bratt allowed three runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and three walks.
The Diamondbacks didn't have much success against Reds starter Andrew Abbott for five innings, but finally got to him for a run in the sixth — Carroll tripled, then scored on a Gabriel Moreno sac fly — and knocked him out of the game in the seventh.
Soroka to injured list, Carrillo recalled
Soroka was placed on the 15-day injured list shortly before first pitch, and Lovullo said he and the coaches knew something wasn't right with Soroka on Saturday in his start.
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Soroka struggled through 3 1/3 innings in which he took the loss after allowing six earned runs. He didn't indicate anything was wrong physically after the game, but on Sunday it was announced that he is dealing with right arm inflammation.
"He's going to hopefully be ready on Day 16," Lovullo said, adding that it was Soroka's right shoulder that was troubling him and that he had imaging done on the problem area. "The plan is to give him a couple of days down, get him back up on the bump and miss as few days as possible."
Carrillo, a right-hander, was told to come to Phoenix from Triple-A Reno on Saturday and arrived at 7 a.m. Sunday, then put on the active roster when it was confirmed that Soroka had to go on the injured list.
Carrillo gave the Diamondbacks 1 2/3 innings of scoreless work on Sunday. He struck out three and walked two.
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Soroka's designation leaves the Diamondbacks without another key part of their starting rotation.
Merrill Kelly , Eduardo Rodriguez , Bratt and Brandon Pfaadt make up the current starting rotation, but Corbin Burnes , Zac Gallen and perhaps further down the road, Ryne Nelson are on the mend and due back from long-term injuries as soon as early next month.
Geno's happy return
What a weekend it's been for former Diamondbacks fan favorite Eugenio Suarez , who was back in town with the Reds.
Chase Field erupted into cheers the previous two nights every time Suarez came up to bat. A few signs in the crowd welcomed Suarez back, and on Aug. 21, Suarez got a big ovation when he arrived in the batter's box for the first time. The reaction was so strong that former teammate and Venezuelan countryman Eduardo Rodriguez paused briefly to let his friend step out and salute the crowd.
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Later in that game, the Diamondbacks played a tribute video to Suarez on the giant scoreboard at Chase Field. More applause, and more love from Suarez in return.
Suarez spent less than two full seasons in Phoenix, traded at the deadline last year to the Seattle Mariners .
On Aug. 22, Suarez and teammates joined the Diamondbacks' Latino players for a photo opportunity celebrating Hispanic heritage.
"He's a very special human being. He fit right into this organization like a glove. Being brought over here, we asked a lot of him, he didn't let us down," Lovullo said of Suarez. "He's a connector of human beings. And I just know how much he enjoyed his time here, but I could say the same thing for ... the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds .
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"He just endears himself to his community, he endears himself to his teammates and then he goes out there and plays like a baller."
Drey Jameson returns from injured list
Right-handed reliever Drey Jameson rejoined the Diamondbacks on Aug. 23, coming off the 15-day injured list and being added to the roster with reliever Zack Littell being designated for assignment after less than two weeks with the team.
Jameson had been scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Reno in his latest rehab assignment, but that plan was scrapped to bring him to the majors. He's dealt with injuries throughout his career and didn't play in 2024 to recover from elbow surgery.
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"Drey's been throwing the ball real well," Lovullo said. "He's healthy, there were some things that he was working on with his body to put himself in a position to go out and compete and stuff was really, really good. Over 100 miles an hour with some pitches."
Littell made three appearances for the Diamondbacks and went 1-0, but allowed 10 earned runs on 21 hits in 12 innings of work. He allowed three home runs on Saturday in a game the Diamondbacks lost, and five in his three outings.
"He never really seemed to get grounded or moving in the right direction," Lovullo said. "This game is built on performance and execution, and things were just not going well for him."
Coming up
Monday, Aug. 24:At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (8-11, 5.37) vs. Cubs RHP Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.58).
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Tuesday, Aug. 25:At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-1, 3.39) vs. Cubs RHP Clay Holmes (5-6, 2.49).
Wednesday, Aug. 26:At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (12-4, 2.71) vs. Cubs LHP Matthew Boyd (8-2, 4.02).
(This story has been updated to add information.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks' 'heartbeat' Vargas delivers big in comeback win over Reds
