PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks’ roller coaster season continued Wednesday as they beat the Mariners, 5-2, to sweep the three-game series at Chase Field.
The last three series for Arizona have gone sweep, swept, sweep. They are now back to the .500 mark at 34-34.
The sweep over the Mariners came just days after Arizona GM Mike Hazen said he hoped his team would start to play better and put together a sustained run to get back in the postseason chase, allowing him to be a buyer come the July 31 Trade Deadline.
It was also important after a disastrous weekend in Cincinnati where they faced a suspended game, a 13-1 drubbing and missed opportunities.
“On the heels of what happened in Cincinnati … you feel like you come close, you didn't play clean games, you're hit away from winning a game or two and it doesn't happen,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “I think the guys just went out there and drew a line and said, ‘Hey, it's time to go.’”
Eugenio Suárez’s sixth-inning grand slam provided most of the offense for the Diamondbacks, who got a nice performance from lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, who allowed two runs over 6 1/3 innings.
The homer did more than just send the Diamondbacks on the way to victory, it also was a big home run personally for Suárez.
It gave the veteran 295 career homers, which broke a tie with Magglio Ordonez for third all-time among Venezuela-born players, behind Miguel Cabrera (511) and Andres Galarraga (399).
“It means a lot to me,” Suárez said. “As a Venezuelan to be on that list, it’s a lot. It’s too much for me because so many good players, so many superstar players come from Venezuela. Passing Magglio, one of my favorite players, it’s an honor. It’s a gift.”
Growing up, Suárez admired a number of Venezuelan Major Leaguers, but especially Ordonez and Omar Vizquel.
Last Sunday in Cincinnati, Suárez tied Ordonez and Wednesday’s blast was his 19th of the year.
“For Venezuela, and for my family -- my wife, my daughters, they are so proud of me, and that means a lot,” Suárez said. “You know, this homer was special, because I feel like my whole family and a lot of fans from Venezuela were waiting for it. I feel so happy and grateful.”
Rodriguez, who also is from Venezuela, was also grateful because Suárez’s homer turned out to be the difference in the game. Rodriguez had the opportunity to play with Cabrera during his time with the Tigers.
“It put me in position to win the game,” Rodriguez said. “He's from my same country, and I know how he feels. I’m grateful that I have had the opportunity to play with guys doing things like that. He’s just growing and growing. He's just getting better and hopefully he keeps going out there and hitting homers because that’s what we want.”
Seattle's Bryan Woo outpitched Rodriguez for the first five innings, holding the Diamondbacks scoreless before things unraveled for him in the sixth.
A pair of singles and a walk set up Suárez's grand slam, and one out later Pavin Smith added an insurance run with a homer of his own.
The Diamondbacks will now try and keep the momentum going because the path ahead gets even more challenging with the Padres coming to town Friday to open a three-game series.
It’s their first look at San Diego this season, a team they are chasing in the division and Wild Card race.
“I'm really proud of where these guys are,” Lovullo said. “So we have an off-day [Thursday]. We know that San Diego is coming in, and our only focus should be going out and playing another great game on Friday.”