The New York Yankees had control of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks before a five-run fifth inning turned a three-run lead into a deficit they could not overcome.
New York fell 8-4 at Chase Field, dropping to 89-66 with seven regular-season games remaining. The loss also left the Yankees six games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.
The Yankees built a 4-1 advantage on solo home runs from Heliot Ramos, George Lombard Jr. and Spencer Jones before their offense went quiet and Arizona began to take control.
Will Warren kept the Diamondbacks in check through the first four innings, allowing one earned run while striking out four. He ran into trouble in the fifth, though, giving up two hits and a walk to load the bases with one out.
Brent Headrick entered with Warren’s outing finished, but the left-hander could not preserve the lead. He struck out Geraldo Perdomo before walking Corbin Carroll to force home a run.
Nolan Arenado then changed the game with one swing. After his first two-run fastball missed just left of the foul pole, Arenado connected on the next pitch and sent a grand slam over the left-field wall, putting Arizona ahead 6-4.
The Diamondbacks added two more runs in the seventh against John Schreiber, who was charged with his first earned runs since joining the Yankees. Former Yankee Jonathan Loáisiga closed out the game by tossing two scoreless frames.
The Yankees return home Monday before opening a four-game series against the Rays on Tuesday. The first game of a doubleheader is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., with Carlos Rodón facing Nick Martinez.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.