So Close, Yet So Far: Astros Sweep D-backs in Ninth-Inning Heartbreaker

• Geraldo Perdomo goes a perfect 4-for-4 in a standout offensive performance.
• Astros complete a three-game sweep of the Diamondbacks with a 4-3 victory.
• Starter Brandon Walter delivers a brilliant performance, allowing only one run over seven innings.
• Ketel Marte hits his 20th home run of the season on the game's first pitch.
• Former Diamondback Christian Walker drives in the go-ahead run for the Astros in the ninth inning.

It was a game that had it all: a leadoff bomb, a late-game rally, and a gut-punch finish. The Arizona Diamondbacks fought back to tie it in the eighth, only to see the Houston Astros snatch a 4-3 victory in the ninth, completing a bitter three-game sweep at home. The loss stings, but a few key performances offer a glimmer of hope as the team heads out on a long road trip.

Geraldo Perdomo was an unstoppable force, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate, but even his heroics weren't enough to fend off the sweep.

A Rollercoaster Finale

The game started with a bang as Ketel Marte launched the very first pitch for his 20th home run of the season. Starter Brandon Walter was brilliant, holding the powerful Astros to just one run over seven masterful innings. The D-backs' bats came alive in the eighth, with Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll hitting back-to-back doubles to spark a rally capped by a Josh Naylor RBI single that tied the game 3-3. The crowd was electric, but the celebration was short-lived. In the top of the ninth, former Diamondback Christian Walker delivered the dagger—a go-ahead RBI single that sealed Arizona's fate.

Bright Spots in the Desert

While the final score was a disappointment, it wasn't all bad news. Geraldo Perdomo was simply outstanding, posting a perfect 4-for-4 night, including the leadoff double that ignited the eighth-inning comeback. It was a masterclass in hitting from the shortstop. Equally encouraging was the return of Corbin Carroll. Fresh off the injured list after a fractured left wrist, Carroll didn't miss a beat, lacing a crucial double in the eighth that showed he's ready to contribute immediately. Seeing him back and impacting the game is a massive win for the club moving forward.

Future is Bright in Amarillo

While the big-league club was battling in Phoenix, the future was making noise in Texas. The D-backs' No. 5 prospect, Tommy Troy, continued his impressive season for the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles. On Thursday, Troy crushed a go-ahead, three-run homer, once again showcasing the power and clutch hitting that has him rocketing up the prospect rankings. It's a comforting reminder that more help is on the way.

The Diamondbacks now have a much-needed day off to wash away the sting of this sweep. They'll need it, as a daunting nine-game road trip kicks off Friday in Pittsburgh. This stretch could define their second half. With Carroll back in the fold and Perdomo swinging a hot bat, the pieces are there to turn things around. It's time to regroup, refocus, and prove this team's resilience on the road.