Esteury Ruiz hits 3-run double in 11th to lift Marlins to 4-2 win, damaging D-backs' playoff hopes

PHOENIX (AP) — Esteury Ruiz hit a three-run double in the 11th inning to lift the Miami Marlins over the Arizona 4-2 on Tuesday night, dealing a major blow to the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes.

The D-backs could have gained a game in the National League wild-card race after the San Diego Padres lost to Colorado, but instead remained 2 1/2 games back for the final playoff spot with 10 remaining.

With two outs in the 11th, Ruiz ripped a sinker from reliever Taylor Clarke (2-4) deep into the left-center gap, scoring Otto Lopez, Jared Serna and Kyle Stowers. It was just the Marlins' fifth hit of the night.

The D-backs nearly won the game in the 10th inning, but Geraldo Perdomo was thrown out at home by Serna on a grounder to second base by Ryan Waldschmidt.

Arizona left 15 runners on base.

Miami's Josh Ekness (2-3) pitched two innings to earn the win. Arizona's Ketel Marte had an RBI double with two outs in the 11th to cut the deficit to 4-2, but Gabriel Moreno grounded out to end the game.

D-backs right-hander Michael Soroka gave up one run over five innings, striking out six, including five in a row during the second and third innings.

Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the first on Moreno's solo homer that traveled 431 feet, deep into the left-center seats. It was his 14th longball of the season. Miami countered in the fourth when Griffin Conine's solo homer to right-center tied the game.

Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado left the game early because of right thumb inflammation.

The D-backs send RHP Merrill Kelly (9-13, 4.97 ERA) to the mound Wednesday while the Marlins counter with RHP Ryan Gusto (1-5, 4.14).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Pavin Smith, left, makes a catch at first base to get Miami Marlins' Heriberto Hernández (13) out during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka throws against the Miami Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno, right, celebrates his home run against the Miami Marlins with Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo (2) during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Miami Marlins' Griffin Conine, right, celebrates his home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Marlins' Javier Sanoja (8) during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

NEW YORK (AP) — Pete Alonso launched his 300th career home run Tuesday night, a tying shot in the ninth inning against his former team, and Coby Mayo’s inside-the-park homer in the 11th sent the Baltimore Orioles to a 7-5 victory over the New York Mets.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeremiah Jackson also went deep for the Orioles (74-78), who stayed three games behind Cleveland for the last American League playoff spot.

Mayo snapped a 4-all tie with a three-run homer in the 11th. He connected on an 0-2 pitch from Jonathan Pintaro with two outs and sent a long drive to center field that glanced off rookie A.J. Ewing's glove as he crashed into the fence.

The ball rolled away from Ewing as he fell to the ground, allowing Mayo to circle the bases and score standing up.

Alonso, who hit a club-record 264 homers for the Mets before signing with the Orioles last December, was hitless in his first seven plate appearances of the series before launching a 414-foot solo drive off Kodai Senga to tie the score at 3 with one out in the ninth.

A pumped-up Alonso spiked his bat toward the Orioles dugout and rounded the bases as the Citi Field crowd of 28,097 — down from 35,800 for the slugger's return Monday night — roared.

Fans chanted his name until Alonso emerged from the dugout for a curtain call, after which chants of “Fire Stearns” aimed at Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns began.

It was Senga’s first blown save in eight chances this season.

The teams traded runs in the 10th, when Encarnacion-Strand raced home on a wild pitch and Marcus Semien laced a one-out RBI double for the Mets. Alonso struck out against Pintaro (2-2) in the 11th before Mayo’s inside-the-park homer made a winner of Alex Hoppe (1-1).

Andrew Kittredge earned his 10th save after allowing Bo Bichette’s two-out RBI single.

New York (69-82) lost its third straight and was assured of a losing season.

Carson Benge homered for the Mets, eliminated from playoff contention with Monday’s 2-1 loss to Baltimore. Jared Young had a sacrifice fly and Juan Soto delivered an RBI single.

Orioles RHP Chris Bassitt (7-5, 4.88 ERA) starts Wednesday’s series finale against Mets RHP Robert Stock (1-3, 5.93).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

A fan holds up a sign during the eleventh inning of a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Coby Mayo, right, celebrates with Dylan Beavers, left, and Leody Taveras, center, after hitting a three-run home run during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso, center, acknowledges the crowd after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso reacts after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso hits a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)