"He's a good kid. You saw he slid head first, and he wasn't trying to hurt me" - Ketel Marte defuses tension over Garrett Stubbs' collision

Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks was forced off the field during his side's 11-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night. The official reason for the exit was a left ankle contusion.

The knock was sustained in the fourth inning while the Phillies were batting. Catcher Garrett Stubbs' hit bobbled off third baseman Eugenio Suarez's glove, allowing the Phillies man to go for a double. As the throw came to second baseman Marte, Stubbs slid head-first in an effort to reach the bag in time, colliding with Marte's leg.

Talking to PHNX Diamondbacks post-game, Marte explained that there was no bad blood between him and the Phillies catcher.

"He's a good kid. You saw he slid head first. He wasn't trying to hurt me." Ketel said through an interpreter.

Ketel Marte hits 30th homer of the season as MVP claims grow louder

Arizona Diamondbacks' Ketel Marte is having an incredible season. The player has been in sublime form as of late, spearheading a D-backs offense that has found its rhythm, as it continues to be one of the most in-form teams in the majors.

Arizona Diamondbacks v Cleveland Guardians - Game 1 - Image source: Getty

Marte got the party started on Saturday night, hitting his 30th home run of the season against Aaron Nola and the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the first inning, as the visitors were beaten 11-1 at Chase Field. Along with his 30 big hits, the Dominican is batting .299 and has driven in 81 runs so far this campaign.

Fresh form has seen Ketel Marte's odds for the National League MVP rise with each passing game. The second baseman is neck and neck with the LA Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani in the race for the big prize at the end of the season.

The Diamondbacks will take on the Phillies in the fourth and final game of the series on Sunday night. Fans will hope Marte and Co. can maintain their level of play as the D-backs machine continues to gather steam at just the right time heading into the playoffs.