Diamondbacks Infielder Reaches Franchise-Record Hit Streak vs Orioles

Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas (6) hits a double against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Diamondbacks Infielder Reaches Franchise-Record Hit Streak vs Orioles

Originally posted on Arizona Diamondbacks on SI
By Alex D'Agostino | Last updated Apr 14, 2026 8:41 PM ET

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With his go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the fifth inning on Tuesday, Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas set a franchise record.

That homer allowed Vargas to reach an 11-game hit streak to open the 2026 regular season. That streak is the longest of any D-backs player to begin a year.

Five other D-backs hitters had similar season-opening hit streaks end at 10 games: David Peralta (2019), Didi Gregorius (2013), Willie Bloomquist (2011), Tony Bautista (2002) and Steve Finley (2000).

Per D-backs: With his homer, Ildemaro Vargas set a franchise record with 11 consecutive games with a hit to start the season.

11 Ildemaro Vargas (2026)
10 each:
David Peralta (2019) Didi Gregorius (2013) Willie Bloomquist (2011 Tony Bautista (2002)
& Steve Finley (2000)
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) April 15, 2026

Vargas accomplished this feat so in the leadoff batter slot on Tuesday, filling in for star second baseman Ketel Marte, who was scratched from the lineup with lower back tightness.

Ildemaro Vargas sets D-backs record

John Jones-Imagn Images

Vargas has certainly been on quite the hot streak to open the season. His hit streak has not been the result of cheap hits or batted ball luck.

The veteran utility infielder is currently hitting .400/.429/.700 in 42 plate appearances as of this writing. That is good for a 1.129 OPS. For his entire career, Vargas owns just a .662 OPS in parts of 10 major league seasons.

42 plate appearances is not the largest sample size, by any means, and there's certainly plenty of room for potential regression, but Vargas' underlying metrics do hold up.

Coming into Tuesday's game, Vargas' .400 expected batting average (xBA) is the best in baseball by a wide margin. The next closest is Braves DH Dom Smith at .364.

The veteran is limiting whiffs and striking out at a top 10% rate. He's playing sturdy infield defense at any and all position he's called upon to fill, as well.

This article first appeared on Arizona Diamondbacks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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