Diamondbacks Score Seven Late Inning Runs to Defeat Rangers and Even World Series at 1-1 – Tommy Pham Goes 4-4 and Merrill Kelly Strikes Out 9 For Diamondbacks

Photo via Barry Stahl

For six innings the two top teams in the MLB were engaged in a relatively low scoring 2-1 World Series game. 

However, the Arizona Diamondbacks looking to avenge a game one, 6-5 extra inning loss, scored seven runs in the last three innings to defeat the Texas Rangers 9-1 and even the World Series at 1-1.

The Diamondbacks got on the scoreboard first in the top of the fourth inning.

In an eight pitch at bat, Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno hit the eighth pitch, a 92 mph sinker, into the Centerfield stands 413 feet from home plate to give the Diamondbacks a 1-0 lead. 

THAT BALL IS GONE 👋

The Snakes strike first in Game 2!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JbLvZI8v9t

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2023

 

Moreno now has four home runs as a catcher in the 2023 post-season and trails only Cleveland Guardians coach Sandy Alomar Jr. for most home runs by a catcher in a single postseason. Alomar hit five home runs as a catcher in the 1997 postseason for the Cleveland Indians. 

With his HR in the 4th inning, Gabriel Moreno of the @Dbacks became the 7th player in history to hit at least 4 HR in a single #Postseason as a catcher. Moreno joined Sandy Alomar Jr. (5, 1997 CLE); Mike Zunino (4, 2020 TB); Salvador Perez (4, 2015 KC); Jason Varitek (4, 2003…

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) October 29, 2023

 

The Diamondbacks added a second run in the fourth inning when Tommy Pham doubled and then scored on a base hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to give the Diamondbacks a 2-0 lead.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. makes it 2-0 @Dbacks! 🐍#EmbraceTheChaos pic.twitter.com/PfsNNXiaeh

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2023

 

The Rangers got a run in the bottom of the fifth when designated hitter Mitch Garver homered to left field on a 93 mph sinker that was low and inside in the zone.

 

Mitch Garver gets the @Rangers on the board with a solo shot!!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/MR3YUtb6Cy

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2023

 

Leading 2-1, the Arizona Diamondbacks added seven insurance runs. 

They scored two runs in the seventh, 3 runs in the eighth, and 2 runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat the Rangers 9-1.

For the game, the Diamondbacks scored nine runs on 16 hits. In addition, 4 players had multiple hit games including Tommy Pham (4-4), Corbin Carroll (2-5), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (2-3), and Alek Thomas (2-5).

In the post-game interview, Pham talked about his mental approach at the plate. In particular, he emphasized that he tries not to focus on results and outcome.

“Day to day, I don’t think about that. I’m more in the moment, the preparation of what I need to do today to be better to help the team win,” said Pham.

In addition to the Diamondbacks excellent hitting, the Diamondbacks got an excellent pitching performance from Merrill Kelly.  

Kelly threw seven innings, only giving up one earned one on 3 hits, while striking out nine.

Like most elite athletes that are performing optimally, Kelly explained in the post-game interview how he has tried to stay process focused concentrating on one pitch at a time since game two of the National League Championship Series.

“If you look at the Philly game, at least Game 2, I think that’s where I got beat is I just didn’t execute well enough,” said Kelly. “So my focus since then, and even before then, but my focus since then was just purely pitch execution, trying to take one pitch at a time, almost the feel of this is the biggest pitch of the game. And then once that pitch is done, have the same mindset going forward as far as the next pitch.”

Of course, both teams will try to stay focused on one pitch at a time as the World Series next moves to Arizona where Max Scherzer for the Rangers is scheduled to take the mound against the Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt. The first pitch of game 3 is scheduled for 8:03 pm on Monday and can be seen on Fox.