Snake Bytes 9/19: VarShow. S 1, Ep 14.

Arizona Diamondbacks 6, Houston Astros 4

[D’backs.com] D-backs’ rally in 10th shows flashes of future - Even amid a disappointing season, there are nights where the D-backs put together a nearly complete game and give their fans a reason to believe that better days are coming. Saturday was one of those nights, as the D-backs scored three runs in the 10th inning to beat the Astros, 6-4, at Minute Maid Park. The D-backs got a good start from Humberto Castellanos, an outstanding performance from the bullpen and a big homer from one of their future building blocks.

[Arizona Sports] Daulton Varsho’s 2-run home run in 10th inning lifts D-backs over Astros - Kole Calhoun knocked in the go-ahead run with an RBI single and Daulton Varsho homered as the Arizona Diamondbacks scored three runs in the 10th inning for a 6-4 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night.

[AZ Central] Calhoun, Varsho key 3-run 10th, Diamondbacks beat Astros - The win was the Diamondbacks’ 48th of the season. They need four more over their final 14 games to avoid tying a franchise record for most losses in a season. “They did a fantastic job,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “When this team puts things together like that — we get some solid starting pitching, timely hitting, the bullpen takes over, you pick up the baseball and do your job — this is how good of a game we can play.”

Around the League

[MLB Trade Rumors] Alex Avila To Retire After 2021 Season - Nationals catcher Alex Avila will retire at the end of the season, The Athletic’s Maria Torres reports (Twitter link). While Avila plans to remain involved with the sport and “doesn’t intend to stay out of the game for long,” the veteran backstop will be hanging up his glove after 13 Major League seasons. Breaking into pro ball as a fifth-round pick for the Tigers in the 2008 draft, Avila is best remembered for his eight seasons in Detroit, highlighted by a Silver Slugger performance in 2011. Avila hit .295/.389/.506 with 19 homers over 551 plate appearances in that breakout year, earning an All-Star nod and a 12th-place finish in AL MVP voting.

[The Spun] MLB World Reacts To Unfortunate Padres Scene - Tensions nearly boiled over inside of the San Diego Padres dugout on Saturday night. The Padres lost to the Cardinals on Saturday evening. It was a crushing loss for San Diego, which trails St. Louis in the Wild Card race. Time is running out for the NL West franchise to make a push for the playoffs. Late in the contest, Padres stars Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. were seen yelling at each other in the dugout. It was not a warm sight for San Diego fans.

[MLB.com] Rays’ No. 1 prospect Baz set to debut Monday - This has already been an eventful season for Shane Baz. The 22-year-old right-hander pitched in big league Spring Training, quickly earned a promotion from Double-A to Triple-A, took part in the All-Star Futures Game and represented his country with Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics. The top prospect’s next stop? Tropicana Field. Baz, the Rays’ No. 1 prospect, will be added to Tampa Bay’s taxi squad on Sunday and is expected to make his Major League debut Monday night against the Blue Jays. The team that has already debuted prospects Wander Franco, Vidal Bruján, Josh Lowe, Taylor Walls and Brent Honeywell Jr. this season will now get a look at Baz, whom MLB Pipeline ranks No. 20 overall.