Joc Pederson homers for 2nd straight game, helps the Diamondbacks beat the Pirates 4-3

PHOENIX (AP) — Joc Pederson hit a solo homer, Zac Gallen navigated six solid innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 on Friday night.

The D-backs have won three straight games and nine of 12.

Down 3-1 heading into the sixth, Arizona responded with three runs off Luis Ortiz and Carmen Mlodzinski.

Pederson started the inning with a homer that traveled 453 feet, deep into the seats in right. Gabriel Moreno singled home Christian Walker to tie it, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a wild pitch from Mlodzinski (2-4).

Pederson homered for the second straight game. The 32-year-old hit his 200th career homer in an 8-6 victory in Kansas City on Wednesday, which was another come-from-behind win.

“We're gritty," Pederson said. "That's what it takes to be a good team. Sometimes you get knocked down and you've got to get up, fight back and finish the game strong. Our team's doing a great job.”

The D-backs improved to 54-50, which is the first time they've been four games over .500 this season.

Gallen (8-5) pitched into the seventh, but was pulled after walking the first two batters of the inning. Kevin Ginkel wiggled out of the jam, striking out Andrew McCutchen and Oneil Cruz before Nick Gonzales grounded out.

Ryan Thompson threw a scoreless eighth and Paul Sewald worked the ninth for his 16th save. Gurriel finished with three hits — all singles.

“Just a hard-fought win against a good baseball team,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “Those are the types of things we've been doing a lot lately. We hang in there, duke it out, find a little crack and then string together some good at-bats.”

Gallen gave up three runs on five hits over six innings. He walked three and struck out six.

“I know I've got to keep us in the game,” Gallen said. “We've been pretty great offensively. Just got to give our guys a chance to get us back in it.”

The Pirates scored two runs in the first after Joshua Palacios hit a bases-loaded single that scored McCutchen and Gonzales. Pittsburgh pushed the advantage to 3-0 in the second on McCutchen's RBI double into the right-center gap.

Ortiz gave up three runs on five hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out four. The Pirates were just 1 of 11 at the plate with runners in scoring position.

“We had strong at-bats but we didn't finish,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “We had first and second in the seventh, then second and third in the eighth and did not have productive at-bats.”

The D-backs cut it to 3-1 in the third when Corbin Carroll led off the inning with a triple. He was brought home on All-Star Ketel Marte's sacrifice fly.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates 1B Rowdy Tellez (back spasms) left mid-game and was replaced by Connor Joe. The team said Tellez is day to day. Tellez was also hit by a pitch on the finger earlier in the game, but Shelton said that wasn't a problem.

UP NEXT

The D-backs start RHP Brandon Pfaadt (4-6, 3.74 ERA) on Saturday. The Pirates counter with LHP Marco Gonzalez (1-1, 2.70 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning during a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr., right, scores on a wild pitch in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel Jr. reacts after hitting a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Rowdy Tellez reacts after getting hit with a pitch in the first inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll, center left, scores on a single hit by Ketel Marte in the third inning during a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski (65) talks to umpire Ben May, left, after striking out in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Joc Pederson celebrates with third base coach Tony Perezchica (21) after hitting a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the sixth inning during a baseball game, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

CHICAGO (AP) — Angel Reese's historic rookie season is over.

The Chicago Sky forward said on social media Saturday night that she has a season-ending injury, but didn't specify what it was. She was listed on the team’s injury report with a wrist injury.

“What a year. I never would have imagined the last bucket of my rookie season would be a 3 but maybe that was God saying give them a taste of what they will be seeing more of in Year 2 lol,” Reese wrote. “Through it all, I have showed that I belong in this league even when no one else believed. All I have ever wanted was to come into the W and make an impact. I can confidently say I have done that and will strive to keep doing so.”

Reese, the No. 7 pick in the draft, finished the season averaging 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds. It’s the highest rebound average in the history of the WNBA. Reese also set the rookie record with 26 double-doubles — her last coming in a 92-78 win over Los Angeles on Friday night.

Reese has been intertwined with Indiana rookie Caitlin Clark since the pair faced off in the NCAA championship two years ago. Reese's LSU squad came away with the win. The pair have lifted up the WNBA in ratings, attendance and merchandise sale this season.

Earlier in the season, Reese had 15 straight games with a double-double to break the league's record. She also set the mark for total rebounds in a season, passing Sylvia Fowles' mark of 404. The Sky rookie finished with 446 total rebounds this year — including a record 172 on the offensive end. Las Vegas Aces' star A'ja Wilson has 406 rebounds this season.

Chicago is battling for the WNBA's final playoff spot, currently tied with Atlanta for the eighth position. The Sky host Dallas on Sunday.

Reese is slated to play in the new 3-on-3 league Unrivaled that will start in the winter in Miami.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) shoots against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP)

Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) tries to shoot over Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) during the second half of an WNBA basketball game, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Las Vegas. L (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)