Wild Card Fever: Diamondbacks Refuse to Fade, Fueling Late-Season Surge
The Arizona Diamondbacks may have entered Monday sitting two games under .500, but don’t mistake them for fading. Far from it. With the calendar flipping to September, the Snakes are slithering back into the Wild Card race, riding a surge that’s seen them win four of their last five and take down the mighty Dodgers in Los Angeles.
And just when fans wondered if the magic was real, the D-backs delivered another statement in the series opener against the Rangers: back-to-back home runs from Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo to start the game, followed by a Tyler Locklear blast in the very next inning. Talk about setting a tone.
Marte and Perdomo Ignite Chase Field
On the very first at-bat, Ketel Marte worked a 3-1 count, then absolutely punished an 83-mph changeup—sending it 441 feet into the Arizona night. One pitch later, his double-play partner Geraldo Perdomo crushed a 91-mph sinker for his 16th homer of the season, nearly to the exact same spot.
It was the kind of jolt Chase Field needed—and the kind of reminder Marte himself may have wanted to send.
Marte Silences the Doubters
Earlier in August, the three-time All-Star found himself in headlines for all the wrong reasons: whispers of frustration from teammates about his days off, and even offseason trade rumors surrounding his name. Combine that with a mini-slump—just four extra-base hits in 16 games—and Marte looked like a player carrying extra weight on his shoulders.
But on Monday night, the bat spoke louder than the noise. Marte’s blast was his 24th of the season, pairing with a .292 average and .924 OPS to keep him firmly among the game’s most productive second basemen.
Locklear Joins the Party
The fireworks didn’t end there. In the second inning, Tyler Locklear launched a solo shot of his own, the third Diamondbacks homer off Rangers starter Patrick Corbin before the third inning.
Arizona’s offense had the feel of a statement—not just a hot night, but a team refusing to be overlooked.
Rangers Push Back, But Arizona Holds the Edge
The Rangers clawed back, with Cody Freeman smashing a two-run homer off Ryne Nelson and Wyatt Langford tying the game at 3–3 in the sixth. But even as Texas punched back, Arizona’s early surge left the momentum tilted toward the home team.
The Bigger Picture: A Wild Card Race Still Alive
Make no mistake: Arizona still has ground to cover. Entering September, they sit about 6.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot—a tall order, but far from impossible. More importantly, their play has turned from frustrating inconsistency into inspired baseball.
-
Recent surge: An 8–3 run since August 19, including a series win over the Dodgers.
-
Pitching strength: Zac Gallen and Eduardo Rodríguez delivering gems, easing bullpen pressure.
-
Youth movement: Carroll, Perdomo, and Locklear joining Marte to balance the lineup.
It’s not just about standings anymore. It’s about energy, swagger, and the sense that this team still believes.
The Bottom Line
The Diamondbacks aren’t going quietly. Marte’s power, Perdomo’s consistency, and Locklear’s pop are fueling a late-summer charge that has kept the Wild Card dream alive in the desert.
If this is how they close August, imagine what September could bring.
About the Author
