In Photos: Diamondbacks rookie Adrian Del Castillo makes history with clutch walk-off home run
The Arizona Diamondbacks took the second game of the series against the Philadelphia Phillies after Adrian Del Castillo's heroics. The rookie, playing just his second MLB game struck his first home run, a walk-off hit, for a thrilling 3-2 win on Friday.
The Diamondbacks held a 2-0 lead for the majority of the game before a late rally from the Phillies saw them tie the game 2-2 at the top of the eighth inning. With the game seemingly headed to extra inning, Adrian Del Castillo came in clutch for the hosts.
The 24-year-old leathered Phillies reliever Jeff Hoffman's fastball deep into right field in the bottom of the ninth to walk it off for the Snakes. The rookie was mobbed by his teammates as he became the first Diamondbacks player to open his home run account with a walk-off homer.
"The first player in #Dbacks history whose first career homer is also a walk-off homer."
The 24-year-old rookie catcher was drafted by the Diamondbacks in 2021. He was called up to the senior team just a few days ago after he was named in the 40-man roster on Aug. 6 after Gabriel Moreno's injury.
“Goosebumps, honestly,” Del Castillo said. “Straight up goosebumps. It was sick. I don’t even know how to describe it.”
Torey Lovullo excited after Adrian Del Castillo comes up clutch for the Diamondbacks
Adrian Del Castillo's solo effort helped the Diamondbacks to their seventh walk-off win this season. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo expressed his delight after the rookie's historic hit.
“You couldn’t ask for any greater moment for a young player,” Lovullo said. “I get so excited for the players coming up from player development. I felt like I was 18 years old again for a few minutes.”
The rookie catcher was instrumental throughout the game as it was his RBI single in the first inning that helped the home team to a 1-0 lead. He finished the night with three hits and two RBIs as the Diamondbacks tied the four-game series 1-1.
Both teams will be in action for the third installment of the series on Saturday at Chase Field.