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Arenado's Long Blast Decides Diamondbacks-Astros Slugfest

Nolan Arenado's two-run home run in the third inning proved decisive, allowing the Arizona Diamondbacks to defeat the Houston Astros 3-2 at Daikin Park on Sunday.

Tessa Esparza

September 7, 20262 min read

Baseball Home Run - illustration, Jake Team LLC
MLBFinal
Arizona Diamondbacks3
Houston Astros2

September 6, 2026

Turning Point in the Third

The decisive moment of the contest arrived during the top of the third inning. Nolan Arenado launched a two-run home run to left center field, carrying the ball 385 feet. This blast scored Marte and extended Arizona's lead to 3-1. The hit proved to be the final run differential in the game, as the Diamondbacks held onto the lead for the remainder of the contest.

Early Exchange and Late Push

The Astros had taken a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Alvarez hit a 337-foot home run to right field. Arizona answered quickly in the second inning. McCann delivered a sacrifice fly to left field that allowed Carroll to score, tying the game at 1-1. The score remained stagnant until the eighth inning, when Wade Jr. singled to left field. That single allowed Altuve to score, moving Walker to second base and cutting the Diamondbacks' lead to 3-2. However, Houston could not generate another run in the final frame.

Pitching Performance

Eduardo Rodriguez secured the win for Arizona, throwing six innings. He allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out six batters. Peter Lambert took the loss for Houston, pitching seven innings. Lambert allowed seven hits and three earned runs, striking out six batters without issuing a walk. The Diamondbacks bullpen provided the necessary support to close the game, with Kevin Ginkel recording the save. He pitched one inning, allowing no hits, no earned runs, and striking out three batters.

Final Records

The Arizona Diamondbacks improved their record to 76-68 following this victory. The Houston Astros fell to 73-71. The game was played at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, in front of a crowd of 39,478 fans. The final score was Arizona 3, Houston 2. No other scoring plays occurred after the eighth-inning single by Wade Jr.

Sources

ESPN

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Tessa Esparza

Tessa Esparza covers Little Elm high school and area college sports.

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