Nolan Arenado homers as D-backs down Rangers

Harris’s triple to right in the third would have been a homer in 29 ballparks, but it just missed in Oracle. He’s 11-for-31 with three RBI and a couple of steals since the Padres called him up last month. Since he’s currently starting against righties, he could be of use in shallow leagues next week with the Padres playing four games at Coors Field.

It’s another subpar line for Ray, but it would have been a nice outing if former teammate Rafael Devers hadn’t hit a perfectly good curveball out to right for a grand slam in the fifth. Fortunately, Ray had a 7-1 lead at the time, and the bullpen finished the job after his departure. Ray will likely face the Rockies in Coors on Wednesday.

Miller had an usually difficult ninth, walking two and giving up a bunt single, but he struck out Bryce Eldridge to end the potential rally. He’s second in the NL in saves, one behind Riley O’Brien.

Molina had a nice start to his Giants career, going 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance, but he allowed nine hits and walked two while facing 20 hitters tonight. He’s due to make his next start Wednesday against the Cardinals.

The slam was exceptional, as he picked a Robbie Ray curve off the ground and hit it out to right in one of the game’s toughest ballparks. It was his ninth career grand slam. He has 36 homers and 96 RBI for the season.

Arizona scored all of its runs in the fifth and sixth inning, with Corbin Carroll and then Arenado homered off Adam Macko. Arenado’s homer was his 24th of the season and 377th all-time, moving him past Carlton Fisk and into a tie with Norm Cash and Jeff Kent for 84th all-time.

Kelly walked one, hit another and gave up an RBI double before being pulled with the D-backs down 1-0. Kevin Ginkel escaped the jam from there, but it was too late to get Kelly a victory in a game the D-backs ultimately won 9-1. Kelly will face the Yankees next, making him a weak option in mixed leagues.

Some are likely disappointed that Martinez isn’t getting any save chances in his return from Tommy John, but maybe that’s just setting him up to be a bargain next spring. He reached 101.5 mph on the gun in his nine-pitch inning tonight and recorded his first hold since returning last month.

Gore pitched four scoreless innings before going double, walk, double, double in the fifth. He was pulled with the Rangers down 3-1, and the fourth run scored quickly afterwards. Gore’s stuff simply isn’t what it was a couple of months ago, and even though the Rangers had to know that, they still let hm face hitters for a third time tonight. Gore is due to take on the Red Sox next Thursday. If the Rangers fall out of contention, one imagines his last start will be skipped.

The 382-foot homer came after two games off due to back discomfort. It was his 20th of the year, so he’s now reached that mark in all four of his full seasons through age 25.