Pavin Smith's Game-Winning Homer Propels Diamondbacks Past Angels 4-3

PHOENIX (AP) — Pavin Smith broke a tie with a crucial solo home run off the right-field foul pole, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night. Smith's homer, his first of the season, came in the seventh inning and marked a significant moment for the first baseman, who had been struggling with a .103 batting average prior to the game and has spent much of the season recovering from elbow surgery.

In addition to Smith's homer, Geraldo Perdomo contributed an RBI double in the same inning, extending Arizona's lead to 4-2. On the mound, Ryne Nelson (3-5) delivered an impressive performance, allowing only two runs over seven innings, fanning five batters while scattering nine hits. Notably, this was Nelson's fifth start in his last seven outings where he pitched at least seven innings.

Los Angeles star Mike Trout tied the game in the fifth with a powerful opposite-field home run, marking his 16th of the season and the 420th of his career. Earlier, the Angels had taken a 1-0 advantage in the first inning when Jo Adell's double brought Trout home. The Diamondbacks quickly answered back, with Gabriel Moreno hitting an RBI single to even the score at one.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made his return to the Diamondbacks lineup after a three-week absence due to a strained left hamstring, adding an RBI single in the fourth inning. Although Paul Sewald allowed a solo homer to Donovan Walton in the ninth, he sealed the game by striking out Oswald Peraza for his 18th save of the season.

Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks will send Merrill Kelly (5-5, 5.46 ERA) to the mound for their next game, while the Angels will counter with Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.00 ERA) on Tuesday.