Game result and context
Arizona Diamondbacks defeat New York Yankees 5-3 in 2026 regular season matchup
Pavin Smith hit a decisive two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-3 win over the New York Yankees. The victory keeps Arizona's postseason hopes alive as they trail in the wild-card race.
Final result
The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 on September 19, 2026. The game remained scoreless through four innings before both teams traded runs in the fifth and sixth frames. Arizona ultimately broke the 3-3 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the win.
How the game changed
The game turned in the bottom of the ninth inning when Pavin Smith connected for a two-run home run, ending the contest. Earlier, the Yankees had taken a brief lead in the top of the sixth inning behind solo home runs from Heliot Ramos and Austin Wells. Arizona's Jordan Lawlar also contributed significantly with two RBIs earlier in the game to keep the Diamondbacks within striking distance.
Key performances
Pavin Smith led the Diamondbacks with one hit, one run, and two RBIs, including the game-winning home run. Jordan Lawlar added two RBIs for Arizona. For the Yankees, Austin Wells went 2-for-3 with a home run and one RBI, while Heliot Ramos also homered. On the mound, Yankees starter Cam Schlittler pitched 6.0 innings, allowing one earned run and striking out six. Brandon Pfaadt started for Arizona, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing one earned run with three strikeouts.
Season and playoff context
Following the game, the New York Yankees hold an 89-65 record and remain in second place in their division, trailing by 5.0 games. They currently lead the wild-card standings with a 10.5-game cushion and have clinched a postseason berth. The Arizona Diamondbacks move to 81-74, sitting third in their division and 4.0 games out of a wild-card spot. The Diamondbacks face a wild-card elimination number of 4.