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Pollock's late HR sinks Atlanta Braves, 7-6, against Arizona Diamondbacks
Five-run sixth inning not enough for Atlanta
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Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman, right, tags out Arizona Diamondbacks Josh Collmenter in the fourth inning of a game Tuesday in Phoenix. - photo by Rick Scuteri

PHOENIX — A.J. Pollock hit a two-out, two-run home run into the Chase Field swimming pool in the seventh inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Atlanta Braves 7-6 in a back-and-forth game Tuesday night.

The homer was the 51st splashdown in the water beyond the right field fence since the ballpark opened in 1998.

Ender Inciarte had two RBIs, two runs scored and two stolen bases for the Diamondbacks. He drew a two-out walk from Brandon Cunniff (2-1) and scored on Pollock's home run.

A.J. Pierzynski and Todd Cunningham each drove in a pair of runs in the Braves' five-run sixth inning after the Diamondbacks had taken a 4-1 lead off Shelby Miller.

Miller lasted a season-low 4 1-3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with six walks and one strikeout. The four runs and six walks were season worsts for the right-hander, who had not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his 10 starts leading into Tuesday.

Andrew Chafin (3-0) pitched 1 1-3 inning to get the victory. Brad Ziegler threw a scoreless ninth for his fourth save.

Arizona starter Josh Collmenter left with two outs in the sixth inning and the Braves erupted.

Pierzynsky's two-run bases-loaded single off J.C. Ramirez cut the lead to 4-3, Jonny Gomes' RBI double tied it, then Cunningham's double down the left field line on the first pitch from Chafin put Atlanta up 6-4.

Miller walked Collmenter to load the bases in the second, then Inciarte singled in two. Miller walked Paul Goldschmidt to bring in the third run.

Goldschmidt walked four times, twice intentionally. He has been walked 41 times this season, 17 in the last 13 games.

GREAT CATCH

In the third, the left fielder Inciarte made a head-first dive in the gravel in foul territory and caught Jace Peterson's foul ball. Inciarte crashed face-first into a security guard's foot. He remained on the ground but held up his glove to show he still had the ball. After trainers came out, Inciarte eventually got to his feet and stayed in the game, making another nice running catch of Freeman's fly ball to end the inning.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: Manager Fredi Gonzalez gave OF Cameron Maybin another day off. Maybin was scratched from the lineup just before Monday night's game with a sore quad/groin. Gonzalez said he expected Maybin in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale.

Diamondbacks: LH Patrick Corbin (Tommy John surgery) threw 3 2-3 scoreless innings in an extended spring training game on Monday. ... 3B Jake Lamb (left foot stress fracture) was 1 for 4 with a triple in extended spring training game Monday. He is report Wednesday to a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno.

UP NEXT

Braves: Mike Foltynewicz (3-2, 3.96 ERA) takes the mound against Arizona Wednesday in the Braves' finale of a 10-game road trip. Atlanta is 4-5 on the trip.

Diamondbacks: RH Rubby De La Rosa (4-2, 4.50) goes for Arizona in the afternoon contest. He is 2-0 in his last five starts.

 

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