MLBBy Matt Clapp on

After throwing eight scoreless innings, Jake Arrieta was removed from the Phillies’ game against the Diamondbacks on Monday night at Chase Field with Philadelphia leading 2-0. Arrieta was at 110 pitches, and hard-throwing closer Seranthony Dominguez entered the night with a 2.03 ERA on the season. So, it’s hard to criticize Philadelphia manager Gabe Kapler much for the decision, and it would work out in the Phillies’ favor nine times out of 10.

But it didn’t work out this time. Arizona outfielder David Peralta cranked a Dominguez pitch for a solo dinger with one out in the ninth, to get the D-Backs within one run.

Two batters later, Steven Souza Jr. ripped a single up the middle to tie the game.

Extra innings went deep into the night (the game was four hours, 38 minutes), when Peralta came to the plate in the bottom of the 14th. Peralta didn’t get all of it, but got just enough to hit one over the left-center field wall for a walk-off homer.

A special night for Peralta (who went 4-for-7 overall), and a night that has to be very disappointing for Arrieta after he pitched a gem.

The game also had big ramifications for the NL playoff picture. Arizona moves into sole possession of first place in the NL West, with a 0.5-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. And the Phillies blew a chance to have a two-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East (instead, they’re only one game up).

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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