Pavin Smith shines with 3 homers and 8 RBIs in Diamondbacks win over Astros

On Sunday night, Pavin Smith delivered an outstanding performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks, hitting three home runs and driving in a career-high eight runs against the Houston Astros. This victory, which ended a three-game losing streak for the Diamondbacks, resulted in a 12-6 scoreline. Smith's achievement marked his first multi-home run game and made him the second player on the team to hit three homers in a single game this season, following Eugenio Suárez's feat in July. The game saw Smith's first home run come in the second inning, followed by a grand slam in the third, which significantly contributed to the Diamondbacks' lead. His final home run of the night was a solo shot in the fifth inning, showcasing his power at the plate. The Astros' pitcher, Justin Verlander, struggled throughout the game, allowing eight runs and failing to record a strikeout, which is a rare occurrence in his extensive career. In addition to Smith's performance, Suárez also had a notable game, going 4 for 5 with two RBIs. The Diamondbacks' offensive display was impressive, as they scored at least ten runs for the 18th time this season, a league-leading statistic. This win allowed Arizona to close in on the San Diego Padres for the National League's first wild card spot, while the Astros maintained their lead in the AL West. The game also highlighted the struggles of the Astros, who were missing infielder Mauricio Dubón due to injury. As both teams prepared for their upcoming matchups, the Diamondbacks aimed to build on this momentum, while the Astros looked to rebound from their recent performance.