Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks roll by Rays

Pavin Smith and Tim Tawa homered, Brandon Pfaadt pitched six strong innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks opened a six-game homestand with a 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in Phoenix.

Smith, who also doubled and walked, has six extra-base hits in the last six games (three homers and three doubles). He is the Diamondbacks' primary designated hitter.

Josh Naylor had two hits and drove in a run in a two-run eighth for Arizona, which has won seven of nine.

Chandler Simpson had two singles and a stolen base for the Rays in his third game since being promoted from Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Jake Mangum also had two hits for the Rays, who were shut out in three of their previous five games and have lost six of seven.

Pfaadt (4-1) gave up one run on four hits in six innings, with five strikeouts, no walks and one hit batter. He retired the final six he faced after Mangum doubled to lead off the fifth.

Tampa Bay starter Zack Littell (0-5) gave up three runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out two and walked one.

Tampa Bay scored in the second inning, when Kameron Misner doubled with two outs and scored on Mangum's single.

Smith's two-out, two-run homer in the third inning gave the Diamondbacks a 2-1 lead. Corbin Carroll doubled with one out before Smith's 420-foot homer deep down the right-field line.

Tawa homered with one out in the fifth, his third homer in 10 games since being promoted to replace injured second baseman Ketel Marte.

Simpson and Brandon Lowe singled with one out in the eighth inning, off Jalen Beeks, but Yandy Diaz grounded into a double play started by shortstop Geraldo Perdome to end the inning and preserve a 3-1 lead.

The Diamondbacks turned three double plays.

--Field Level Media