D-backs beat Pirates on walk-off slide
PHOENIX -- Arizona runner Nick Ahmed put his arms up as he slid into second base and deflected a potential double play relay in the 10th inning Sunday, giving the Diamondbacks a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates lingered on the field to argue with the umpires, to no avail. There was no video review of the final play.
With runners at the corners and one out, Andy Marte hit a grounder to shortstop Jordy Mercer, who flipped to second baseman Jayson Nix for a forceout.
As Nix threw to first, trying to complete an inning-ending double play, his toss hit Ahmed and the ball rolled away, allowing Tuffy Gosewich to score the winning run.
Gosewich doubled with one out in the 10th and Ahmed walked. A wild pitch by Mark Melancon (1-3) moved Gosewich to third.
Diamondbacks reliever Evan Marshall (4-2) escaped a one-out, second-and-third jam in the top of the 10th by striking out pinch-hitter Gaby Sanchez and Travis Snider.
Arizona starter Trevor Cahill was in line for just his second win this season, but reliever Brad Ziegler struggled for the second straight day.
The Pirates tied it in the eighth on Josh Harrison's single, Gregory Polanco's double and Andrew McCutchen's sacrifice fly.
McCutchen left the game moments later with left side discomfort.
Arizona got out of the inning without any more runs scoring when Russell Martin grounded out to shortstop, with first baseman Mark Trumbo then throwing home to catch Polanco trying to score from second base.
Cahill struck out seven in a season-high seven innings. He opened the season as a starter but was demoted to the bullpen in mid-April before returning to the rotation last month.
Pirates starter Francisco Liriano gave up two runs and four hits in six innings.
Diamondbacks: Outfielder Cody Ross went swimming in a pool on Saturday, but is still a ways off, manager Kirk Gibson said. Ross has been on the disabled list since July 22 with a left calf injury. ... Outfielder A.J. Pollock (hand) doubled in two at-bats in a rookie league game Saturday and could soon be sent to Triple-A Reno to continue his rehab.
Pirates: Second baseman Neil Walker missed a second straight game with lower back tightness. He'll get one more day of rest with the Pirates getting Monday off and is expected to be ready to play Tuesday against Miami. ... Outfielder Starling Marte went 1-for-4 in a rehab game with Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday. He's coming back from a concussion.
Diamondbacks: Left-hander Wade Miley (7-7) starts the opener of a three-game home series against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. He's 4-1 in his last six starts and the teams is 4-0 in his last four home starts.