Diamondbacks 4 - Astros 3 (9/5/2026): Marte's Homer Powers Arizona

Under the blistering heat at Daikin Park, the Arizona Diamondbacks narrowly defeated the Houston Astros 4–3. This triumph pushed the Diamondbacks to a 74-68 record, keeping them in third place in the NL West. Meanwhile, the Astros, who remain in first in the AL West, saw their record dip to 73-69.

The Diamondbacks' late-game heroics led by Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno proved to be the difference. Marte's home run added a crucial score, and Moreno's consistent performance was evident with two hits and an RBI. Despite their efforts, the Astros couldn't close the gap in the final innings.

Pitchers on Display

Brandon Pfaadt took the mound for the Diamondbacks, delivering a solid performance over 6.33 innings. Allowing three runs on seven hits, he struck out four and walked two. Jonathan Loáisiga came in to close, securing the victory and improving his record to 6-3 with a 2.40 ERA.

The Astros' pitching effort began with Elijah Pecko, who managed to keep the Diamondbacks at bay for the first four innings. Pecko allowed one run on five hits, striking out two over his 4.33 innings. However, Bryan King, pitching the final frame, was charged with the loss.

Diamondbacks' Offensive Highlights

Lars Nootbaar played a pivotal role for Arizona, hitting two crucial doubles and driving in a run. He reached base three times with a walk added to his two-hit performance. Marte added to his season's tally with a solo shot, marking his only hit of the night.

Moreno's consistency at the plate was clear, going 2-for-5 and hitting a key double. Geraldo Perdomo added to the scoreboard with a sac fly, contributing to the run-scoring effort. The collective offensive push provided just enough cushion for their bullpen to handle the Astros' late attempts.

Astros' Efforts Fall Short

For the Astros, Isaac Paredes was a standout, driving in all three runs for Houston. He went 2-for-5 on the night, single-handedly keeping the Astros within striking distance. Jose Altuve and Taylor Trammell added doubles, but the rest of the lineup struggled to generate runs when needed.

Despite out-hitting the Diamondbacks with nine hits to eight, the Astros couldn't capitalize on opportunities. Their bullpen performed admirably, with Josh Hader pitching a clean inning to keep the score within reach. However, they couldn't find the late-inning magic required to clinch the win.

The game was marked by sharp defensive play, as both teams combined for zero errors. This aspect showcased the disciplined approach both sides brought to the field, even in the sweltering 100-degree heat.

Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks will remain at Daikin Park for another duel with the Astros before hitting the road to face the Kansas City Royals. The Astros, meanwhile, will aim to regroup and even the series in tomorrow's afternoon game.

This victory for Arizona adds some momentum as they strive for a stronger position within their division. Houston will need to adjust quickly if they wish to maintain their lead in the AL West, especially with the postseason race intensifying.