Martinez ties Sept. homer mark, D-backs rally to walk off Giants
PHOENIX -- J.D. Martinez has only spent 59 games in the National League, but his manager believes he deserves MVP consideration.
Martinez tied Ralph Kiner's NL record with his 16th homer in September, sparking a three-run, ninth-inning rally that led the Arizona Diamondbacks past the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Wednesday.
"This guy is unbelievable," said David Peralta, who capped off the rally with a game-ending, bases-loaded walk. "I told him, 'Hey, you've got four at-bats without a home run.' Boom! Next at-bat, he hit a home run."
Martinez has 45 homers this season, 29 of them in his 59 games with the Diamondbacks, who acquired him in a trade with the Tigers on July 18. He hit 16 homers in 57 games with Detroit.
Does today end in Y? Oh, it does? Then J.D. Martinez must have homered. pic.twitter.com/vYkEu8lkW7
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 27, 2017
His 36 RBIs this month set an Arizona record, surpassing Luis Gonzalez' 35 in June 2001.
The major league record for September homers is 17, by Babe Ruth in 1927 and Albert Belle in 1995.
"What can you continue to say about J.D.? He hits his 16th home run and you're talking about historical records now," manager Torey Lovullo said. "He's locked in."
The Diamondbacks began their stirring 2017 season with a come-from-behind, walk-off win over San Francisco. Their final home game of the regular season ended in similar fashion against the same team.
"I guess we started how we finished at home, and these guys did not shut down on a day game after a night game," Lovullo said.
"Everybody woke up and said, 'Let's do this.'" -- @JDMartinez14 on the @Dbacks' 9th-inning rally for their 52nd win at home. pic.twitter.com/mBpgiTRpEt
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 27, 2017
Arizona will be back in action at Chase Field next Wednesday in the NL wild card game.
Daniel Descalso jogged home with the winning run on Peralta's walk for the Diamondbacks' ninth walk-off win of the season.
"The way we came back in this game was unbelievable. We never give up. We always fight anybody," Peralta said. "I was really patient in that at-bat. The pressure is on the pitcher."
All of the runs were charged to Giants closer Sam Dyson (3-3). J.J. Hoover (3-1) earned the win in relief.
Jake Lamb and A.J. Pollock followed Martinez's homer with singles. Pinch runner Kristopher Negron was thrown out at home by Joe Panik on a fielder's choice by Descalso.
"You're talking about historical records now" -- Torey Lovullo regarding with J.D. Martinez, whose HR started the @Dbacks' 9th-inning rally. pic.twitter.com/6RKHtBCeZH
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 27, 2017
After an intentional walk, John Ryan Murphy reached on a fielder's choice to drive in Pollock before Peralta drew the walk.
Pablo Sandoval doubled twice and drove in two runs, and Jeff Samardzija threw three-hit ball for six innings for the Giants. He struck out four with a walk, allowing one run.
Denard Span tripled, doubled and scored twice.
Lamb hit his 29th homer of the season in the fifth, a solo shot to right field. Lamb has 103 RBIs.
Arizona starter Braden Shipley lasted 3 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks.
Comeback win "shows everybody what kind of team we are." -- David Peralta on @Dbacks' 4-3 victory in the final home game of the reg. season. pic.twitter.com/Z1Bo64M138
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 27, 2017
Murphy, who came into the game in the fifth at catcher, recorded his first hit as a Diamondback with a sixth-inning double.
Diamondbacks relievers Anthony Banda, Jake Barrett, Andrew Chafin and Hoover held the Giants scoreless on two hits over 5 2/3 innings.
SUNDAY RAY DAY
Left-hander Robbie Ray, who started and won Tuesday night's game, will start Sunday in the regular season finale at Kansas City. He is expected to be available if needed in next Wednesday's NL wild card game.
Ray to start Sunday for @Dbacks but it doesn't eliminate him from WC consideration. Also, Corbin & Godley to come out of 'pen this weekend. pic.twitter.com/A0wumodRb2
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 27, 2017
Starters Zack Godley and Patrick Corbin will work out of the bullpen Friday and Saturday. Zack Greinke starts the Kansas City series opener on Friday, followed by Taijuan Walker on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks' ace Greinke (17-6) makes his last regular season start Friday against the Royals. It's his final tune-up before the wild-card game, which he is expected to start.
"I want the ball. I want to go as many innings as I can." -- @ArchieBradley7 on postseason role, @Dbacks fans and his terrific season. pic.twitter.com/lauEa1fR5v
— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) September 27, 2017