A Three-Homer Game for Durazo

Erubiel Durazo homered three times and drove in nine runs--the most in the majors in three years-- to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Philadelphia Phillies, 12-9, Friday night.

Playing his second game of the season since coming off the disabled list, Durazo hit three two-run homers after singles by Luis Gonzalez.

Durazo had a chance to tie the major league record of four home runs, matched 15 days ago by Seattle’s Mike Cameron, when he came to bat with two outs in the eighth.

He lined a 3-2 pitch from Cliff Politte into the right-field corner for a three-run double, setting a franchise record with nine runs batted in.

It was the most RBIs in one game since Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra knocked in 10 runs against Seattle on May 10, 1999, at Fenway Park.

Durazo is the third player to hit at least three home runs in a game this year. Houston’s Lance Berkman also hit three April 16 at Cincinnati.

Gonzalez scored four times to tie a club record, and the Diamondbacks rallied from four runs down.

Durazo’s first two homers came off starter Terry Adams in the first and sixth innings. The third, off reliever Rheal Cormier (1-4) in the seventh, gave Arizona its first lead, 9-7. The homers traveled 418 feet, 396 feet and 421 feet.

After missing the start of the season because of surgery on his right wrist, Durazo was immediately inserted into the cleanup spot by Arizona Manager Bob Brenly.

He struck out his first three at-bats Thursday, but since then has two doubles and three homers in six plate appearances.

Durazo finished four for five Friday night.

Durazo is the third Arizona player to hit three homers in a game, joining Gonzalez and Steve Finley.

Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a home run for the second night in a row, but once again the Phillies couldn’t hold a lead, falling to 0-5 on their seven-game road trip and 3-17 away from home overall despite getting 17 hits.