Ketel Marte has 3 RBIs to earn big cheers from Chase Field crowd, Diamondbacks beat Rangers 9-1

Phoenix (AP) — Ketel Marte delivered a standout performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks, belting two doubles and contributing three RBIs as the team secured a 9-1 win over the Texas Rangers at Chase Field on Friday night. This victory came just two weeks after Marte faced a chilly reception from fans on Aug. 31 when he returned from an 13-game injury layoff. Following a brief apology for his handling of the situation, Marte was met with a much more positive reaction from the home crowd during Friday’s contest.

The Diamondbacks' offense was particularly strong, with Marte driving in all three of the D-backs' runs. In the fifth inning, Joc Pederson of the Rangers managed to give Arizona a brief 1-0 lead with a two-run double to right field. However, the D-backs quickly regained control, scoring four runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth to establish a commanding 9-1 lead.

Diamondbacks' reliever Merrill Kelly kept the Rangers scoreless over 4 1/3 innings, allowing just a single run. In the sixth inning, reliever Justin Martinez showcased his precision, retiring Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, and Jake Burger on nine pitches. Texas' ace Mackenzie Gore (8-11) surrendered four runs over his four innings pitched, while the Rangers fell to a 72-76 record, putting them three games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the race for the American League's final wild card spot.