MLB Rankings: Greatest Hits in Week-25
5. Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks, 46 percent
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ late run at a National League wild-card spot has fallen victim to Milwaukee’s stretch run. But the D-Backs will be credited with a spirited fight exemplified by their Monday performance against the Miami Marlins in Phoenix.
Arizona took the field with only slim post-season prospects, six games out of the race and needing every win. Then to make matters more dire, Miami overcame a 3-0 Arizona advantage with five seventh-inning runs capped by Jon Berti’s two-run producing single off Yoshihisa Hirano.
In the bottom of the inning, Arizona immediately set to the task of reconstructing its lead. Two base hits sandwiched around a wild pitch produced one run and following two walks plus two outs Lamb came to the plate.
Trailing by a run and with the bases full, it was the consummate pivotal moment. The odds still made Miami a 58 percent favorite to hold on and win the game, but Lamb shifted those with a double down the right-field line.
Abraham Almonte and Wilmer Flores both scored, and when Marlins pitcher Tyler Kinney threw wildly attempting to retire Lamb, Eduardo Escobar came all the way around from first with a third run.
That gave Arizona a 7-5 lead, and the Diamondbacks’ pen was up to the challenge of acquiring the final six outs.