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Sports Minute: Kelly hits 3-run homer, Diamondbacks beat Rangers 7-0

Sports Minute: Kelly hits 3-run homer, Diamondbacks beat Rangers 7-0
4 years 3 months 15 hours ago Tuesday, September 22 2020 Sep 22, 2020 September 22, 2020 11:22 PM September 22, 2020 in Sports - AP - Texas

By DAVID BRANDTAP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) — Carson Kelly had a three-run homer, Caleb Smith and Riley Smith combined to throw a six-hitter and the Arizona Diamondbacks rolled to a 7-0 victory over the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.

David Peralta had three hits, including a double. Eduardo Escobar added two singles and Nick Ahmed had a triple for the Diamondbacks.

The Rangers have a 6-23 record on the road this season.

Caleb Smith had a rough start to the game, walking his first three batters to load the bases. The left-hander recovered to retire the next three batters on a popout and two strikeouts to escape without giving up a run.

He cruised from that point forward, giving up one hit over four scoreless innings. The Diamondbacks acquired the 29-year-old Smith as part of a midseason trade that sent outfielder Starling Marte to the Marlins.

Smith missed a large chunk of the season after a positive test for COVID-19 so the D-backs have brought him along slowly, limiting his pitch count during outings. Arizona hopes he can be part of a starting rotation next season that will likely include Madison Bumgarner, Luke Weaver and Zac Gallen.

Riley Smith (2-0) took over in the fifth and needed just 59 pitches — including 47 strikes — to finish the game. He struck out seven and gave up five hits over five innings.

Arizona jumped ahead 2-0 in the fourth inning after a run-scoring single by Peralta and a sacrifice fly from Pavin Smith. The Diamondbacks were helped when Texas pitcher Jordan Lyles dropped an underhanded toss from Sherten Apostel while covering first base.

Lyles' errant throw on a pickoff attempt in the fifth helped the D-backs push to a 3-0 lead. Arizona broke the game open in the seventh when the first four batters reached on hits, capped by Kelly's three-run homer.

Lyles (1-6) gave up seven runs, including four earned, on 10 hits over five innings.

The Rangers had a tough day in the field, matching a season high with three errors. Eli White had three hits and stole a base for Texas.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Diamondbacks: 2B Ketel Marte was activated from that 10-day injured list (left wrist inflammation) and was in the starting lineup. Utility man Josh Rojas was placed on the 10-day injured list because of lower back inflammation, which will end his season.

UP NEXT

Rangers: LHP Wes Benjamin (1-1, 4.11 ERA) is scheduled to make his first MLB start on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has pitched in six games this season.

Diamondbacks: LHP Alex Young (2-4, 5.44) will make his seventh start of the season. He'll try to bounce back from his worst outing of the season after giving up six runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Angels on Sept. 17.

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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