MILWAUKEE — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is again to help the Arizona Diamondbacks of their playoff push.
Hours after getting reinstated from the injured checklist, Gurriel hit a tiebreaking homer that put the Diamondbacks forward for good within the sixth inning of a 7-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night time. Gurriel hadn’t performed for the Diamondbacks since Sept. 1 as a consequence of a strained left calf.
“It feels actually satisfying to, one, be again on the sphere, and two, in a vital week like it’s,” Gurriel mentioned via a translator. “After which the truth that I did not simply come again, I had a possibility to assist the workforce, too. It was a terrific night time for me.”
The defending NL champion Diamondbacks nonetheless have work to do as they give the impression of being to return to the playoffs, however Gurriel’s productive return actually helped.
Arizona moved into sole possession of the NL’s second wild-card spot Friday by taking a one-game lead over the New York Mets, who misplaced 12-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Atlanta Braves, who misplaced 4-3 at Miami, are three video games behind the Diamondbacks and two video games behind the Mets.
Gurriel, 30, was batting fifth and beginning in left subject Friday. He went 2-for-3 and scored two runs to enhance his batting common to .276 and his OPS to .755. Gurriel additionally has 18 homers and 71 RBIs this season.
“Ideally, I might have appreciated to have had extra video games so as to put together timing-wise and have extra game-like conditions,” Gurriel mentioned. “However bodily, I am good, and I will take advantage of the chance.”
He had a .772 OPS final yr whereas serving to the Diamondbacks attain the World Sequence.
After the sport, Arizona supervisor Torey Lovullo mentioned what Gurriel’s return means to the Diamondbacks’ lineup.
“Stability,” Lovullo mentioned. “Consistency. He sometimes hits three or 5. It is only a very reliable at bat in the midst of any scenario. It was good to see him working out to left subject at the moment.”
The Diamondbacks made room for Gurriel by designating infielder Luis Guillorme for task.
Guillorme, who turns 30 on Sept. 27, was batting .162 with a .347 on-base share, no homers, 4 RBIs and three steals in 18 video games.
He performed with the Braves and Los Angeles Angels this season earlier than becoming a member of the Diamondbacks. Guillorme’s mixed 2024 statistics with all three groups embrace a .205 batting common, .301 on-base share, no homers, 10 RBIs and 4 steals in 77 video games.