PHOENIX (AP) — Ildemaro Vargas hit a go-ahead, two-run triple in a decisive four-run seventh inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for a 5-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday to win the series and keep pace in the National League playoff race.
The D-backs remain two games behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.
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Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll, right, and Cincinnati Reds catcher Will Banfield, left, watch the flight of Carroll's double during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cincinnati Reds' Dane Myers, left, scores a run as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) gets a late throw during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Reds' Dane Myers (17) during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno breaks his bat on a swing during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Trailing 3-1 in the seventh, Arizona loaded the bases with no outs against starter Andrew Abbott. Lars Nootbaar made it 3-2 with a fielder's choice off reliever Luis Mey and then Vargas followed with his two-run triple that rolled all the way to the right-center field wall.
Corbin Carroll's sacrifice fly brought home Vargas and made it 5-3.
Kevin Ginkel struck out Tyler Stephenson looking to end the game, stranding runners on first and second. It was his second save of the year.
It was a tough ending for Abbott (6-9), who pitched well through the first six innings. He gave up four runs and seven hits and two walks, striking out six.
The Reds jumped to a 3-0 lead in the third on Sal Stewart's RBI single and Eugenio Suarez's two-run single. Elly De La Cruz started the inning with a leadoff double into the left-field corner.
The D-backs cut the deficit to 3-1 in the sixth on Gabriel Moreno's sacrifice fly that brought home Carroll, who reached on a triple. His 16 triples this season are the most in the big leagues and his 59 career triples are the most among active MLB players.
Arizona left-hander Mitch Bratt lasted just three innings for a second straight outing. The rookie gave up three runs and five hits and three walks while striking out three.
The D-backs send RHP Merrill Kelly (8-11, 5.37 ERA) on Monday to face Cubs RHP Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.59).
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Arizona Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll, right, and Cincinnati Reds catcher Will Banfield, left, watch the flight of Carroll's double during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cincinnati Reds' Dane Myers, left, scores a run as Arizona Diamondbacks catcher James McCann (8) gets a late throw during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz (44) celebrates his run scored against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Reds' Dane Myers (17) during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno breaks his bat on a swing during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
A big welcome from the fans at the start. A stoppage-time winner at the end.
For Enzo Maresca, it was the "perfect day" as he earned his first victory as Manchester City manager.
City produced a stirring late rally in Maresca's first Premier League game in charge, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to grab a 2-1 win at home to Bournemouth on Sunday.
Josko Gvardiol placed a finish into the bottom corner in the first minute of added-on time for the winner, which was initially given offside before being awarded following a video review. Marc Guehi had equalized with a 84th-minute header from a corner to start the comeback.
Maresca, the successor to Pep Guardiola, punched the air when Gvardiol’s goal was awarded and went onto the field after the final whistle to hug his players.
A huge banner, reading “Welcome back Enzo,” had been held aloft by City fans as the Italian — Guardiola’s assistant in City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season — emerged from the tunnel before kickoff
Wearing a sharp black suit, Maresca certainly looked the part on the touchline but the slickness synonymous with City’s play under Guardiola down the years wasn’t quite there until the late comeback sparked by substitute Rayan Cherki, who set up both goals.
“It is the perfect day, to be honest,” Maresca said. "I was very pleased when the game started to see the banner on the other side. And I was pleased because we give them the joy of the three points.
“It was quite emotional and the perfect day.”
Maresca began his time as Guardiola's replacement with a 3-0 loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield last weekend and has had to deal with the departure of star midfielder Rodri to Barcelona.
City might have found a long-term replacement for Rodri in 18-year-old Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi, who is set to join from Lille for 100 million euros ($117 million) according to French media, but Maresca opted against Bournemouth to deploy Guehi — a center back — as a holding midfielder instead.
It was a contentious decision given there were other midfield options on the bench, and it might prove to be a one-off, but Guehi grew into the role.
City striker Erling Haaland wasn't on the scoresheet in the first league game of the season for the first time since joining the club in 2022. He sported a new hairstyle — a buzz cut that went viral on social media ahead of kickoff — and wasted a couple of great chances to score with it.
Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time to salvage a 2-2 draw for Liverpool at Newcastle in a match overseen by two new managers.
Before kickoff, the teams united to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan — a star player for both clubs — following his death last month at age 75. Players from Newcastle and Liverpool wore shirts with “Keegan” and the number 7 on the back in the warmup at St. James' Park, while there was a mosaic in the center circle, a tribute video and a huge tifo in the stands dedicated to the former England star.
Szoboszlai smashed an unstoppable spot kick into the top corner after debutant Victor Munoz was fouled in the area in a dramatic finish. There was a 3 1/2-minute wait for a video review of the decision.
“I really hit it good,” the Hungary captain said. “I love the pressure.”
Joe Willock looked to have scored a 57th-minute winner for Newcastle, one minute after coming on as a substitute and two minutes after Cody Gakpo had equalized for Liverpool. Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the fifth minute.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak was jeered by Newcastle fans when he came off the team coach and then every time he touched the ball, a hangover from his switch of clubs at the start of last season.
Matthias Jaissle was taking charge of Newcastle for first time, while Andoni Iraola is Liverpool's new manager as Arne Slot's replacement.
Brighton scored four goals in the opening 31 minutes and also missed a slew of great chances in a 4-0 hammering of Aston Villa in the other early game.
To make matters worse for Villa, Joao Gomes was sent off for kicking out at Brighton’s Georginio Rutter in the 40th but the visitors somehow didn’t concede any more goals.
It has been a tough offseason for Villa, with key players Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa leaving and speculation surrounding the future of Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez at the club.
Brighton was sharper, having been in European qualifying action in midweek.
A Brighton fan died after falling ill as he was leaving the Amex stadium following the win over Villa.
The 72-year-old man became unwell as he was leaving to board a supporters’ club bus.
Brighton said that, despite the best efforts of emergency services and club staff, the medical team could not save him.
Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said “we are all shocked and saddened by the loss of one of our supporters.”
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
A banner featuring English football player and manager Kevin Keegan is displayed during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Liverpool in Newcastle, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)
Brighton and Hove Albion's Maxim De Cuyper and Georginio Rutter celebrate their side's first goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa, in Brighton and Hove, England, Sunday Aug. 23, 2026. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)
Manchester City's Erling Haaland warms up prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester City's head coach Enzo Maresca greets fans ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester City fans display a tifo for Manchester City's head coach Enzo Maresca ahead of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol (24) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Bournemouth in Manchester, England, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
