'All hands on deck': D-backs rally in 10th after Joc's huge HR in 8th?

CLEVELAND -- We may only be five days into August, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Joctober in the D-backs’ clubhouse.

A day after hitting the go-ahead home run against the Pirates to secure a D-backs sweep, pinch-hitter Joc Pederson once again played hero on Monday night by slugging a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Guardians.

After Arizona’s bullpen gave the lead away in the ninth, the D-backs manufactured a run in the 10th inning off All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase for 7-6 win in the series opener at Progressive Field.

Pederson’s majestic blast traveled a Statcast-projected 406 feet and set off a raucous celebration inside the D-backs’ dugout that Pederson fueled by smacking his chest and screaming as he ran down the first-base line.

“He’s dangerous,” manager Torey Lovullo said.

It was Pederson’s sixth career pinch-hit home run, and his first since July 23, 2023, when he was a member of the Giants.

It was Pederson’s sixth career pinch-hit home run, and his first since July 23, 2023.

The win marked another come-from-behind effort for the D-backs, who put themselves in the driver’s seat to win their seventh straight series. Arizona was able to take the lead in the 10th thanks to a sacrifice bunt from Jack McCarthy that moved automatic runner Corbin Carroll to third base before Eugenio Suárez drove in the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly.

“There’s no give up with this team,” Pederson. “It’s all hands on deck.”

But it wasn’t all good news for Arizona on Monday. With starter Eduardo Rodríguez slated to make his season debut on Tuesday after signing a four-year, $80 million contract in the offseason, his likely battery mate Gabriel Moreno went down with a groin injury that could sideline him for the foreseeable future.

“You see one of your own go down like that and it’s not a great sight,” Lovullo said. “He’s headed back to Arizona tomorrow to get examined by our group.”

Moreno, who is in the midst of another strong season after winning a Gold Glove in 2023, sustained his injury in the second inning running out an infield single. After lining a ball off the foot of Guardians pitcher Logan Allen, Moreno sprinted out of the box down the first-base line, but came up hobbling and fell to the ground.

Moreno left the field after being visited by Lovullo and a member of the D-backs’ training staff. After the game, Moreno said through an interpreter that he felt a “tough pull” in his groin while running down the line.

Prior to getting hurt, Moreno slugged his fifth home run of the season in the first inning, which came three pitches after Ketel Marte gave the D-backs a 1-0 lead with a homer on the first pitch of the game.

Any significant injury to Moreno would be a huge blow. The 24-year-old catcher is on pace for his best season at the plate (he’s now hitting .262 with five home runs and 41 RBIs) while ranking in the 75th percentile in framing and the 90th percentile in pop time.

“He impacts the game on both sides so we’re hoping it’s a quick turnaround,” Lovullo said. “We’ll get that information as soon as possible. We know he’s going to be down for a little while.”

Backup Jose Herrera is in line to get the brunt of the playing time with Moreno out, but Herrera is hitting just .229 in 17 games this season. He’s the only other catching option on the 40-man roster, so Arizona is going to need to make a roster move in response to the injury.

Arizona opened the season with Tucker Barnhart serving as Moreno’s backup, but he was designated for assignment in July after he hit just .173 in 31 games. He’s still a free agent.

Adrian Castollo, ranked as the D-backs’ No. 26 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has been getting the brunt of work behind the plate for Triple-A Reno and is hitting .319 with a team-leading 24 home runs. Catcher Michael Perez, who once slugged three home runs in a game for the Pirates, is also an option. Neither are on the 40-man roster.

No matter which catcher joins the D-backs, they’ll join a clubhouse that’s playing its baseball of the season and is right in the thick of a playoff hunt.

“I’m emotionally spent right now, but that was a great win,” Lovullo said.