Nolan Arenado’s tiebreaking single in the 10th inning lifted the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 7-6 win over the Boston Red Sox, snapping a road skid and avoiding a series sweep.
The Arizona Diamondbacks edged the Boston Red Sox 7-6 in 10 innings on Wednesday at Fenway Park, snapping a road losing streak and avoiding a series sweep. Nolan Arenado’s broken-bat bloop single over a drawn-in infield sparked a two-run 10th inning that proved decisive, as the Diamondbacks improved to 67-61 while the Red Sox fell to 68-59.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Clutch Hits and a Much-Needed Win
Arizona entered the game on a rough stretch away from home but found a way to leave Boston with a victory. After the Red Sox pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth to force extras, the Diamondbacks responded immediately in the 10th. Arenado, with the infield playing in, lofted a broken-bat bloop that fell just out of reach, driving in the go-ahead run and opening the floodgates for a second tally. The Diamondbacks’ bullpen, which had struggled earlier in the series, managed to hold Boston in the bottom half of the inning to secure the win.
The victory was critical for Arizona, which sits third in the NL West at 67-61 and is looking to build momentum as the postseason race heats up. The team’s offense showed resilience, manufacturing runs when needed and capitalizing on Boston’s defensive alignment. The Diamondbacks also got contributions from their bench and role players, a positive sign given the lengthy injury list that includes Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Tommy Troy, Ryan Thompson, Drey Jameson, and Blake Walston.
Boston Red Sox: Extra-Inning Heartbreak
Boston had a chance to complete a sweep and extend its winning ways but instead suffered a gut-wrenching loss. The Red Sox battled back to tie the game in the ninth, sending it to extras with momentum on their side. However, the bullpen, which had been solid throughout the series, could not hold the Diamondbacks in the 10th, surrendering two runs on Arenado’s bloop and a subsequent hit.
The Red Sox, now 68-59 and third in the AL East, remain firmly in the playoff picture but will rue this missed opportunity. Boston’s lineup showed fight, particularly in the late innings, but the inability to close out the series against a sub-.500 team is a concern. The team is also dealing with significant injuries, including Trevor Story, Roman Anthony, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa all on the 60-day IL, forcing the next men up to step into larger roles.
The Turning Point: Arenado’s 10th-Inning Bloop
The game turned in the top of the 10th when Arenado, facing a drawn-in infield, made contact with a pitch that shattered his bat. The ball floated into shallow center field, just beyond the reach of the charging middle infielders, scoring the go-ahead run. The hit not only broke a 6-6 tie but also shifted all momentum to Arizona, which added an insurance run and then closed out the game in the bottom half. It was a moment of fortune and skill, as Arenado’s ability to get the bat on the ball in a pressure situation proved decisive.
Key Stats and Takeaways
- Arizona’s record improves to 67-61, while Boston drops to 68-59.
- Nolan Arenado delivered the game’s biggest hit with a broken-bat single in the 10th.
- The Diamondbacks avoided a series sweep and snapped a road losing streak.
- Boston’s bullpen faltered in the 10th, allowing two runs after a strong series overall.
- Both teams are dealing with multiple injuries, impacting depth and lineup flexibility.
What It Means for Both Teams
For Arizona, the win is a much-needed morale boost as they return home to face the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. The Diamondbacks are chasing a wild-card spot and can ill afford to drop winnable games. The victory in Boston could serve as a springboard, especially with key players expected to return from injury soon.
For Boston, the loss is a setback but not a disaster. The Red Sox remain in the thick of the AL wild-card race, and they have a favorable upcoming series against the San Francisco Giants starting Friday. However, the bullpen’s late-game struggles and the mounting injury toll are causes for concern. Boston will need to regroup quickly to avoid a losing streak.
🎧 Listen daily to both teams
Beatline Sports covers every team, every day — new episodes each morning.