MLB wrap: Diamondbacks beat Reds for 10th win in 11 games, edge closer in wild-card race

Arthur Weinstein

MLB wrap: Diamondbacks beat Reds for 10th win in 11 games, edge closer in wild-card race image

Watch out for the Diamondbacks.

Those words weren't on anyone's lips when the D-backs were two games under .500 on Aug. 24 and a longshot in the National League wild-card race.

But after a 7-5 victory over the Reds on Friday, Arizona has won four straight and 10 of 11. The D-backs are now only 2 1/2 games behind the Cubs for the second wild-card spot, after Chicago's 7-1 loss to Milwaukee on Friday.

Red-hot outfielder Ketel Marte carried the load on offense with three hits, including a three-run home run, his 31st this season.

Marte now has 12 hits in 22 at-bats in September, vaulting him into third place in the NL batting race. But the race everyone is watching right now in Arizona is the battle for a wild-card spot. Again, watch out for the Diamondbacks.

Studs of the night

Twins right-hander Michael Pineda struck out 10 and gave up one run in six innings against the Indians.

Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun hit a pair of home runs and drove in four in a 7-6 win over the Orioles.

The Rays used five pitchers (Brendan McKay, Peter Fairbanks, Andrew Kittredge, Cole Sulser and Emilio Pagán) who combined for 13 strikeouts and yielded only two hits in a 5-0 win over the Blue Jays.

Dud of the night

Cubs starter Cole Hamels got rocked (3 1/3 IP, nine hits, five runs) in the loss to the Brewers.

Highlights

Manny Machado casually throws this ball sidearm, across his body, and still easily gets the runner at first.

Marlins right fielder Lewis Brinson throws a laser to third.

What's Next

Indians (81-60) at Twins (87-53), 7:10 p.m. ET — Cleveland is running out of time to catch Minnesota in the AL Central. The Indians face a stiff challenge going against Jake Odorizzi, who posted a 2.86 ERA in five starts in August. Indians right-hander Aaron Civale has been a revelation in his first seven MLB starts, with a 1.94 ERA.

Arthur Weinstein