Pavin Smith keeps Arizona wild card hopes alive with late home run

The Dramatic Walk Off

Pavin Smith might have saved the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Coming in as a pinch hitter on Saturday night, the left hander hit a game ending two run home run in the ninth inning to secure a 5-3 victory over the New York Yankees.

The big hit came off a cutter from Michael Fulmer, sending the ball over the right field wall. The win keeps Arizona in the hunt for the postseason. They are now four games behind Philadelphia for the final National League wild card spot, with seven games left to play.

For manager Torey Lovullo, it was a moment of vindication. He has spent years telling anyone who would listen that Smith is a quality hitter. Lovullo said he does not look to be proven right but wants to put his players in positions to succeed.

From Waivers to Winning Moments

It has been a difficult year for the 30 year old Smith. He was the number seven pick in the 2017 draft, but his career has been a mix of highs and lows. After undergoing surgery for elbow bone spurs in March, he missed two months of the season.

When he returned in June, he struggled badly. By July 9, he was hitting just .141 and was designated for assignment. None of the other 29 teams in the league claimed him on waivers.

Smith had to go back to Triple A Reno to work on his swing and rebuild his confidence. He admitted that there were times this year when he doubted himself. "There were lots of times this year when I didn't feel like I could ever hit again," Smith said. But his manager never lost faith. "I do believe Pavin can hit," Lovullo said.

A Historic Night in Phoenix

The home run came in front of a massive crowd of 47,918 fans at Chase Field. The stadium was packed to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of Arizona's famous 2001 World Series victory over the Yankees.

Many legends from that championship team were in attendance, including Luis Gonzalez, who hit the famous walk off single in Game 7 of that series. Smith noted how special it was to hit his own walk off home run on the same night the franchise celebrated Gonzalez's historic moment.