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Moreno and Gurriel Jr. of the Diamondbacks hit home runs before sustaining injuries
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    Moreno and Gurriel Jr. of the Diamondbacks hit home runs before sustaining injuries

    PHILADELPHIA — Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Gabriel Moreno and Joc Pederson hit homers against struggling Phillies starter Taijuan Walker to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-4 win over Philadelphia on Friday night.

    It was the first game between the teams since Arizona won the final two games of the National League Championship Series on the road last season en route to the club’s second World Series appearance.

    “I think we’re a good baseball team that played good baseball,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “And we respect our opponents. They are a good baseball team and coming in here is tough. It’s a very hostile crowd. But our guys came in here, played a good game and blocked it out.”

    Jordan Montgomery (6-4) allowed only five hits and two earned runs over six innings. Montgomery — who signed late in spring training as a free agent — has won his last three starts, dropping his ERA from 6.80 to 5.71.

    “I’m just getting more comfortable out there,” Montgomery said. “I’m starting to move how I’m supposed to. I just let it rip and let the balls go where they are supposed to go.”

    Trea Turner and Nick Castellanos homered for Philadelphia, which has dropped six of its last nine games.

    Walker, the Phillies fifth starter, has been the subject of speculation about being replaced in the starting rotation. He has now allowed 10 home runs in his 10 starts (52 1/3 innings). His ERA is 5.60 while the rest of the Phillies starting staff has a combined ERA of 2.67. His sinker has not been accurate and his velocity has dipped.

    “I mean I think that’s the problem right now,” Walker said. “It’s not there. And the last two years I’ve been throwing it so much. It’s kind of been my bread and better, my go-to pitch.”

    When asked about Walker’s future in Philadelphia’s rotation, Phillies manager Rob Thomson was non-commital.

    Walker was replaced by Spencer Turnbull, who threw three innings of scoreless relief.

    Gurriel started the scoring in the second with a solo homer. Moreno followed with a two-run shot with one out in the third which was immediately followed by Pederson’s solo shot that drew boos from the sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park.

    Pederson had drawn some ire from Phillies fans for posting a picture with the Phanatic in the off-season and playing “Dancing On My Own” — the club’s playoff song the last two seasons — with a caption of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” on social media in a move that many believed was a sign he was coming to Philadelphia. He was heckled after striking out.

    “After they talked trash to me in my first at-bat, that was part of it,” Pederson said. “I told some guys in the dugout that I was going to hit a home run and talk trash back to them.”

    Geraldo Perdomo added an insurance run in the eighth with an RBI single.

    HAMELS RETIRES AS A PHIL

    Cole Hamels — one of two men to win World Series MVP in the 141-year history of the Phillies — officially retired as a member of the club during a pregame ceremony on Friday.

    Hamels, who pitched parts of nine seasons for Philadelphia from 2006-2015, was the MVP of both the 2008 National League Championship Series and the 2008 World Series when the Phillies beat Tampa Bay in five games. He also threw a no-hitter in his final start for the Phillies in 2015 at Chicago.

    Hamels’ career took him to Texas, Chicago and Atlanta before shoulder issues ended comeback attempts with both the Dodgers and Padres. He finished with a 163-122 record with a 3.43 ERA.

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Diamondbacks: Moreno left Friday’s game in the sixth inning with what the club said was a strained left thumb while Gurriel left the game with left elbow soreness. X-rays were negative and both are listed as day-to-day. … RHP Zac Gallen (right hamstring strain) will throw a simulated game on Monday with the hopes of starting a rehabilitation assignment shortly after that. … RHP Miguel Castro (right shoulder inflammation) will throw live batting practice on Monday in Arizona. … OF Alek Thomas (strained left hamstring) is scheduled to play in the Arizona Complex League.

    Phillies: IF/OF Kody Clemens (back spasms) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday night, playing first base. … RHP Luis Ortiz (right forearm soreness) was recalled from a rehab assignment and will see a doctor for a second opinion after experiencing soreness on June 18.

    UP NEXT

    Philadelphia will send RHP Zack Wheeler (8-4, 2.84) to the mound on Saturday against Arizona LHP Tommy Henry (2-2, 6.23).

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    In a recent game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and their opponents, two key players, Ketel Marte and Yuli Gurriel Jr., hit home runs before unfortunately sustaining injuries. The Diamondbacks were facing off against a tough opponent, and the team was relying on Marte and Gurriel Jr. to provide some offensive firepower.

    Marte, who has been a standout player for the Diamondbacks this season, stepped up to the plate in the early innings and crushed a home run to give his team an early lead. The crowd erupted in cheers as Marte rounded the bases, but their excitement was short-lived as Marte pulled up lame while running to first base. It was later revealed that Marte had strained his hamstring and would be out of action for at least a few weeks.

    Gurriel Jr., on the other hand, hit a home run later in the game to help the Diamondbacks extend their lead. However, just like Marte, Gurriel Jr. suffered an injury while rounding the bases. It was reported that Gurriel Jr. had twisted his ankle and would also be sidelined for an extended period of time.

    The injuries to Marte and Gurriel Jr. are a major blow to the Diamondbacks, as both players have been key contributors to the team’s success this season. Marte, in particular, has been one of the team’s best hitters and fielders, while Gurriel Jr. has provided valuable power in the lineup.

    The Diamondbacks will now have to rely on their depth to fill the void left by Marte and Gurriel Jr. as they look to continue their push for a playoff spot. It will be a challenging task, but the team is confident that they have the talent and resilience to overcome these setbacks and keep their postseason hopes alive.

    Injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, but they are something that every team must deal with at some point during the season. The Diamondbacks will now have to rally together and find a way to win games without two of their key players in the lineup. It will be a tough road ahead, but with the support of their fans and the determination of their players, the Diamondbacks are hopeful that they can weather this storm and come out stronger on the other side.