NLCS GAME 7: Diamondbacks 4 @ Phillies 2 - 4 MORE TO GO

NLCS: Arizona wins 4-3

World Series: Arizona Diamondbacks @ Texas Rangers

NLCS MVP: Ketel Marte

The first was good. Marte struck out swinging, but Carroll used his speed for an “infield” single to the second baseman on the outfield grass. Then he advanced to third on a Moreno single to right and scored (1-0 AZ) on a Walker grounder that retired Moreno, but Philly couldn’t turn for two. Pham then struck out “swinging” on three pitches (his final swing was a check that didn’t check). Pfaadt came to deal though. He struck Schwarber and Harper out, and got Turner to ground out. It took 18 pitches.

Gurriel led the second off with a single that HBO Max didn’t actually show. He stole second during Rivera’s at bat, but Longoria, Rivera and Perdomo couldn’t make anything else happen. Unfortunately, Bohm was paying attention to Schwarber and Harper’s at bats and took the first pitch of the inning out to left (1-1 TIE). Ice Man Pfaadt rallied though and didn’t let it get out of hand, retiring the following three batters. He ended the second inning at 30 total pitches.

Marte once again struck out (he was aggressive, but not horribly so; more just fooled by good off speed stuff). But Carroll once again singled! Carroll attempted to steal second and didn’t fool Philly who had him dead to rights, but a poor throw from new-to-firstbase Harper and 23-year-old speed covered the mistake. Moreno grounded out to short and Walker popped out to first to end the threat sadly. Marsh led the bottom of the third with a single to Pham in right and immediately got to second when Rojas sac bunted to bring Schwarber up, but he struck out looking! Then Turner grounded out. It took Pfaadt 10 pitches.

The fourth was non-existent for Arizona except they made Suarez throw some pitches (13 to push him over 60). Pfaadt got Harper to line out to Pham, but Bohm earned a walk and Stott doubled him home (2-1 PHI). Realmuto followed that with a single, but Stott couldn’t score thankfully. Castellanos struck out but Marsh was pitched around so Rojas could strike out with the bases loaded....

Rivera led the fifth off with a single against Suarez who was still in the game despite the Phillies having Hoffman ready in the pen. Perdomo sac bunted Rivera to second for the top of the order. But Marte struck out AGAIN on a horrible pitch (this time is was just a bad read from an aggressive batter...). Luckily, Carroll showed up with his third single of the game, tying the game (2-2 TIE). Carroll stole second on the first pitch from Hoffman to Moreno. Gabi knocked him in with a single, but got thrown out attempting to advance on the throw to home... (3-2 AZ). Mantiply replaced Pfaadt because lefties abound atop the Philly lineup. Schwarber doubled immediately. Turner grounded out to third and Harper gave a ride to a ball that landed in Gurriel’s glove! Thompson then came in and ended the inning with two pitches.

Hoffman continued to pitch for the Liberty Bells, doing quite well, only allowing a hit to Gurriel but getting Walker, Pham and Longoria out. Thompson continued to pitch into the sixth. He did REALLY WELL retiring the side on 8 pitches.

Rivera led the seventh off with a nice grounder to third, but Bohm once again showed his defensive skills. At this point, Hoffman was finally pulled for Alvarado. Perdomo greeted him with a single to left. MARTE THEN SET THE RECORD FOR HITTING STREAK TO START A POSTSEASON CAREER with a double over Castellanos’ head. Perdomo to third. Carroll scored Perdomo with a sac fly (4-2 AZ)! Wheeler came in as a reliever to face Moreno and struck him out. Saalfrank replaced Thompson after a long top half. He struck Marsh out, but walked Pache who hit for Rojas. Schwarber walked as well. Ginkel took over for the rookie. He got both Turner and Harper to fly out to Thomas (who entered the game replacing Pham and moving Carroll to right in the seventh) to end the inning.

Walker Walked! Truly, this never gets old. Thomas got his first at bat, but sadly he flew out to right; his ball just floated a tad too long and Castellanos managed to run it down. Walker stole second during Gurriel’s at bat, which ended with Turner catching a blooper in mid left field. Pavin Smith pinch hit for Longoria... He popped out. Ginkel stayed out for the eighth and struck out the side!

Rivera flew out to Marsh in left to begin ninth against Wheeler. Strahm then replaced the ace for the final two outs. Perdomo welcomed him with a single to left (deja vu anyone?). Marte failed to advance him though by striking out for the 4th time: GOLDEN SOMBRERRO... Carroll also struck out to send the game to the bottom of the ninth. The SEA WALL entered to close the game. He got Castellanos to fly out to Carroll. Then Marsh did the same to Gurriel and something called Jake Cave hit for Pache. He ended the game and series by FLYING OUT TO CORBIN CARROLL!

DIAMONDBACKS WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN 4-2 over Philadelphia!

Conclusion

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. Is that enough? No? Ok. Fair.

This game. Good lord. The team came to play. And they played their way. The Arizona Diamondbacks delivered by embracing the chaos rather than trying to power their way through. Pfaadt had another amazing outing. Carroll finally broke out in the NLCS with 3 hits and 2 stolen bases. Perdomo continued to be a sparkplug against new pitchers. Ginkel, Thompson and Sewald pitched phenomenally. It was as complete a game as we’ve seen this season.

Fangraphs

Top performers:

Kevin Ginkel (1²⁄₃ IP, 0 R, 0 H, 3 K, +25.3% IP)
Corbin Carroll (4 AB, 3 H, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB, + 21.6 % WPA)

Comment of the Night

Look. I can’t choose. There are 800+ comments. There are A TON of excellent ones. Click the link. Go read them if you weren’t there. It was a blast. We will remember where we were tonight.

Up Next

Texas Rangers in Arlington on Friday at 5pm Arizona Time baby! Pitchers TBD.