SerpApi.Org
Diamondbacks’ Ildemaro Vargas walks off Athletics in extra innings appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the fight for a postseason spot in the National League being as tight as ever, every win matters for the Arizona Diamondbacks. And on Tuesday, it was Ildemaro Vargas who emerged as the hero for the Diamondbacks, as they avoided a huge collapse against the Athletics en route to a 6-5 win in extra innings — with Vargas dealing the decisive blow.
With the bases loaded and just one out in the 10th inning, Vargas came to the plate with a golden opportunity to win the game after Nolan Arenado had driven in the tying run. Athletics reliever Luis Media tried to get Vargas with three off-speed pitches to start the at-bat, but the Diamondbacks infielder wasn’t fooled.
Vargas waited for a four-seamer, even though it was high above the zone, and he sliced it through the gap between third base and shortstop to give the Diamondbacks the victory.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
The Diamondbacks nearly made a mess of themselves towards the end of the game. They held a 4-1 lead into the final two innings of the contest, and the Athletics pulled it back — with Shea Langeliers hitting a dinger to cut the deficit to two in the eighth and then Jacob Wilson tied the game with a two-run shot with two outs in the ninth.
The Athletics even took the lead in the 10th after Jonah Heim drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The good news for the Diamondbacks is that they used the free extra inning baserunner to devastating effect, as they drew two walks to start the 10th to put the A’s in a world of pressure, which they then capitalized on.
Vargas may have cooled off after a torrid start to 2026 (he has a .695 OPS on the season), but he did just enough to come up huge for the Diamondbacks in a clutch situation. They will now look to win the rubber match of a three-game series against the A’s tomorrow night.
Like ClutchPoints’ content? Be sure to follow us.
Related: Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado boosts HOF stock with milestone in Athletics game
