NLCS Game 3 Recap: Diamondbacks 2- Phillies 1
The defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies had opened the postseason 7-1 and outscored the Diamondbacks 15-3 over two games at Citizens Bank Park, hitting six homers.
That all changed on Thursday afternoon at Chase Field in Phoenix as the Phillies bats went dead in a game that produced zero big moments for the Phils on offense. In fact the really produced zero big hits for either team – except one, and that was all that the D-Backs needed.
Lourdes Gurriel opened the ninth with a leadoff walk against Craig Kimbrel, stole second and took third on Pavin Smith’s infield single.
Gurriel was thrown out at the plate by shortstop Trea Turner on Emmanuel Rivera’s hard-hit grounder as the Phillies played the infield in. Geraldo Perdomo walked after falling behind 1-2 in the count and Ketel Marte hit a liner that fell in front of center fielder Johan Rojas, sending the D-backs onto the field in celebration.
Marte capped a three-hit afternoon.
Brandon Pfaadt pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings
It was the third postseason walk-off win for the Diamondbacks in the teams history after series-winning hits by Tony Womack’s in the 2001 Division Series and Luis Gonzalez in 2001 World Series.
The Phillies only run of the game came in the seventh when Bryce Harper scored from third putting the Phillies ahead on Ryan Thompson’s wild pitch.
“We are here at their place,” Harper said. “They played a really good game today. I thought both sides had good defense, good pitching. Just got to move on as soon as possible.”
Phillies’ Ranger Suárez gave up three hits and struck out seven in 5 1/3 innings, exiting after Marte’s leadoff double in the sixth. Suarez’s 0.94 ERA is the lowest in any pitcher’s first eight career postseason appearances.
“I was locating my pitches really well today,” Suárez said through an interpreter. “That helped me a lot.”
“It could have gone either way, you know,” manager Rob Thomson said. “What are you going to do? I’m not going to think about it that way. I’m going to think about coming in here tomorrow and getting ready and getting ready to compete.”
