Credit: Sporting News
October 28, 2023...Game 2 of the 2023 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. With a crowd of 42,500 and a 1-0 series lead, the Rangers had 6 foot 6 inch lefty Jordan Montgomery on the mound, as Arizona would send out veteran 35 year old Merrill Kelly.
Here is the Gameday lineups, stats, and graphics related to World Series Game 2 for your further viewing.
Diamondbacks vs Rangers Game 2 Recap
The first three innings of Game 2 was a pitcher's duel as Montgomery only allowed two hits and no walks or runs, while Kelly retired the first 11 Rangers' batters in a row up until an Evan Carter single in the bottom of the fourth. However, the D-backs jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the fourth, thanks to a solo home run that was crushed by catcher Gabriel Moreno at 102 mph, traveling 413 feet. Then a Tommy Pham double and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. single within three pitches later in the half inning gave Arizona a 2-0 lead. A lead in which they would not relinquish for the rest of the game.
Credit: Fox News
Merrill Kelly dominated the Rangers, pitching seven innings, allowing three hits, one run, zero walks, and striking out nine batters. The only run the Rangers scored was from a Mitch Garver home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Diamondbacks also relied on their signature "small ball" style of play, with Gurriel Jr., Evan Longoria, and Geraldo Perdomo each performing successful sacrifice bunts to advance runners throughout the game.
In the top of the seventh inning, a Longoria single would plate Alek Thomas, and a Corbin Carrol single would plate Longoria three batters later to put Arizona up 4-1. Then, in the top of the eighth, a two run single by Ketel Marte extended his postseason streak to 18 games, which is a new MLB record. With the score being 6-1 now after Marte's base knock, Carroll followed up with another run-scoring single to make the score 7-1.
Credit: MLB
With the Rangers basically giving up and putting in their pitchers who haven't pitched much in the playoffs in Chris Stratton and Martin Perez, the D-backs would score two more in the top of the ninth with a two run single from third baseman Emmanuel Rivera. With the score being 9-1, the game was thoroughly put to bed.
Andrew Saalfrank, in his second inning of work after pitching a perfect eighth, and Luis Frias would combine to close out the Rangers in the bottom of the ninth and make Arizona even the World Series at one game a piece.
Credit: ABC15 Arizona
Catch the Diamondbacks vs Rangers in action Monday, October 30th at 7:03 PM Central Time for Game 3 as they head to Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Both teams will look to take a 2-1 series lead as Texas will send veteran righty Max Scherzer (0-1, 9.45 ERA) to face rookie Brandon Pfaadt (0-0, 2.70 ERA).
Arizona gained home field advantage, with a Game 2 win at Globe Life Field in Arlington, as three of the five possible games (Games 3-5) remaining in the series will be at Chase Field. Tomorrow night's games will surely follow the similar pattern of games this postseason: a dramatic, epic showdown of teams that are passionate to go all the way and win the championship for their team and fans. Every team has that ambition, but the inner drive of the Diamondbacks and Rangers has just made all of their games can't-miss baseball! Be sure to make plans and tune in to the game on FOX!
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