Arizona Diamondbacks at Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON – Gabriel Moreno is having the kind of run that even when he makes an out, he helps the team. Moreno had two hits, and his seventh-inning sacrifice fly drove in the go-ahead run in the Diamondbacks’ 3-2 win over the Nationals on Friday night. After Arizona loaded the bases on singles by Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll and a walk by Geraldo Perdomo with one out, Moreno flied to deep left on an 0-1 pitch off Tom Cosgrove, scoring Marte to make it 3-2. “I know he throws good sliders,” Moreno said. “He threw me a first-pitch slider, and then I was expecting something close to me. He threw it and I hit the fly ball bringing in the run.” The D-backs have won four straight and six of seven after taking the opener of the series between two teams trying to determine their course ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline. Arizona (55-49) holds the third National League Wild Card spot, and Washington (52-52) is three games back. Moreno, meanwhile, reached base safely in his 40th straight start, passing Jay Bell (39 in 1998) for sole possession of the second-longest streak in club history behind Carroll (44 in 2024). Of his past 15 games, the Arizona catcher has reached base two times or more in 12 of them, batting .421 (24-for-57) with four doubles, one homer, eight RBIs and nine walks in that span. “It seems like he’s on base with every at-bat,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “He spoils us with a really good approach. There’s just an ease to his game, and he’s kind of in the middle of everything.” Moreno credits his mental approach for his success this season. “Sometimes, especially in my position, you have a lot on your mind,” Moreno said. “I’ve been working on that. Staying level no matter what situation it is. … I know moments go up and down. I have to stay the same and do my job.” Eduardo Rodriguez (9-3) allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks over six innings while striking out four and throwing 98 pitches (63 strikes). He allowed baserunners in five of six innings, but he was able to pitch out of it except in the fourth, when CJ Abrams singled and Dylan Crews smacked a two-run homer.