**Arizona Diamondbacks Crush Houston Astros 12-6 Behind Pavin Smith’s Incredible Performance**
**HOUSTON** – The Arizona Diamondbacks put on a show against the Houston Astros on Sunday night, ending their three-game losing streak with an impressive 12-6 victory. The star of the game was Pavin Smith, who hit his first multi-home run game, driving in a career-high eight runs.
Smith’s stellar performance included a three-homer game, making him only the second Diamondback to achieve this feat this season. His incredible display of power at the plate helped Arizona dominate the Astros throughout the game.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo praised Smith’s performance, stating, “It was a great day for Pavin. Pavin can hit. We always feel comfortable with his at-bats, his ability to come in the lineup after not playing for a couple of days and be able to barrel up the baseball.”
Smith fell just short of the Arizona record for RBIs set by Erubiel Durazo in 2002. Nevertheless, his outstanding performance propelled the Diamondbacks to within a half-game of San Diego for the National League’s first wild card.
Arizona’s offensive firepower was on full display, scoring at least 10 runs for the 18th time this season. The team’s strong showing bolstered their position in the playoff race, increasing their lead over New York and Atlanta to 1 1/2 games.
Smith’s first home run of the night set the tone for the game, followed by a grand slam in the third inning off Justin Verlander. Despite Verlander’s struggles on the mound, Smith’s dominance at the plate was the highlight of the game.
Reflecting on his remarkable performance, Smith said, “It’s something that not many people have done, and I figure if you have the chance you might as well go for it.”
The Diamondbacks’ victory was a team effort, with Eugenio Suárez making a significant contribution with his 26th homer, two RBIs, and four runs. Pitcher Kevin Ginkel secured the win, allowing the Diamondbacks to clinch a crucial victory over the Astros.
The Diamondbacks will look to build on this impressive win as they gear up to face the Texas Rangers next, while the Astros will aim to bounce back against the Oakland Athletics. This thrilling matchup showcased the Diamondbacks’ offensive prowess and Smith’s exceptional performance, solidifying their position as contenders in the playoff race.
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[Source: AP MLB](https://apnews.com/hub/mlb)
