Esteury Ruiz

Esteury Ruiz hits 3-run double in 11th to lift Marlins to 4-2 win, damaging D-backs' playoff hopes

DAVID BRANDT, AP Baseball Writer

Sep 16, 2026


PHOENIX (AP) — Esteury Ruiz hit a three-run double in the 11th inning to lift the Miami Marlins over the Arizona 4-2 on Tuesday night, dealing a major blow to the Diamondbacks' playoff hopes.

The D-backs could have gained a game in the National League wild-card race after the San Diego Padres lost to Colorado, but instead remained 2 1/2 games back for the final playoff spot with 10 remaining.

With two outs in the 11th, Ruiz ripped a sinker from reliever Taylor Clarke (2-4) deep into the left-center gap, scoring Otto Lopez, Jared Serna and Kyle Stowers. It was just the Marlins' fifth hit of the night.

The D-backs nearly won the game in the 10th inning, but Geraldo Perdomo was thrown out at home by Serna on a grounder to second base by Ryan Waldschmidt.

Arizona left 15 runners on base.

Miami's Josh Ekness (2-3) pitched two innings to earn the win. Arizona's Ketel Marte had an RBI double with two outs in the 11th to cut the deficit to 4-2, but Gabriel Moreno grounded out to end the game.

D-backs right-hander Michael Soroka gave up one run over five innings, striking out six, including five in a row during the second and third innings.

Arizona took a 1-0 lead in the first on Moreno's solo homer that traveled 431 feet, deep into the left-center seats. It was his 14th longball of the season. Miami countered in the fourth when Griffin Conine's solo homer to right-center tied the game.

Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado left the game early because of right thumb inflammation.

The D-backs send RHP Merrill Kelly (9-13, 4.97 ERA) to the mound Wednesday while the Marlins counter with RHP Ryan Gusto (1-5, 4.14).

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MLB 2026 Standings

NL EastWLPCTGB
94
68
.580
88
74
.543
6.0
80
82
.494
14.0
77
85
.475
17.0
74
88
.457
20.0
NL CentralWLPCTGB
103
59
.636
Cubs Cubs - w
89
73
.549
14.0
82
80
.506
21.0
77
85
.475
26.0
75
87
.463
28.0
NL WestWLPCTGB
100
62
.617
91
71
.562
9.0
86
76
.531
14.0
65
97
.401
35.0
58
104
.358
42.0
AL EastWLPCTGB
Rays Rays - y
98
64
.605
93
68
.578
4.5
87
75
.537
11.0
79
82
.491
18.5
79
83
.488
19.0
AL CentralWLPCTGB
85
77
.525
84
78
.519
1.0
77
85
.475
8.0
76
86
.469
9.0
69
93
.426
16.0
AL WestWLPCTGB
81
81
.500
80
82
.494
1.0
76
86
.469
5.0
64
98
.395
17.0
62
100
.383
19.0

MLB 2026 Scores & Schedule

Scores

DATEMATCHUPSCORE
Tue
9/15
@
6-7
Tue
9/15
@
1-2
Tue
9/15
@
5-1
Tue
9/15
@
3-6
Tue
9/15
@
7-5

Schedule

DATEMATCHUPTIME (ET)
Tue
10/13
@
8:00 PM
Wed
10/14
@
8:00 PM
Thu
10/15
@
6:00 PM
Thu
10/15
@
9:00 PM
Fri
10/16
@
6:00 PM