The longest stretch between World Series games for a non-pitcher now belongs to Evan Longoria, who set the mark at 15 years. Longoria was named AL Rookie of the Year while with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
Last night, the Arizona Diamondbacks balanced the scales in the World Series by dismantling the Texas Rangers in a 9-1 victory, thanks largely to a masterful performance from their starting pitcher, Merrill Kelly.
The D-backs leapt to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, only for Mitch Garver to answer with a solo dinger for Texas. But that was a mere hiccup for Kelly, who seemed virtually untouchable throughout the game, while the Diamondbacks kept piling on runs against the Rangers’ beleaguered bullpen.
The contest, a part of the best-of-seven series, now moves to Arizona turf for game three, which will take place Monday evening in Phoenix [00:00 GMT on Tuesday].
Game two started off looking like a pitching clinic, with both teams struggling to get runners on base in the initial innings. The ice broke when Gabriel Moreno went yard, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. knocked in Tommy Pham, giving Arizona the edge.
The Rangers didn’t manage a hit off of Kelly until the fourth inning at Globe Life Field. Despite Garver’s solo home run in the fifth inning, which cut the lead in half, Arizona continued to widen the gap.
Leading the charge in the seventh inning was seasoned infielder Evan Longoria, whose single allowed Alek Thomas to cross home plate, making it a 3-1 game. This prompted the Rangers to pull their starting pitcher, Jordan Montgomery, but the bullpen proved equally ineffective.
Longoria later advanced to second base courtesy of a sacrifice bunt and was driven in by Corbin Carroll. With baserunners coming at a steady clip, Arizona kept their foot on the gas.
Merrill Kelly finally bowed out after a magnificent seven innings, surrendering only three hits, issuing zero walks, and fanning nine batters. His performance ensures the Diamondbacks head back to their home soil with the series square at one apiece.
As if to add insult to injury, Ketel Marte lengthened his postseason hitting streak to a record-breaking 18 games. Corbin Carroll and Emmanuel Rivera further padded the score, turning the game into a veritable rout.
World Series Upcoming Games (Home team listed first)
- Game 1: Texas 6-5 Arizona
- Game 2: Texas 1-9 Arizona
- Game 3 (Arizona): Mon 30 Oct
- Game 4 (Arizona): Tue 31 Oct
- Game 5 (Arizona): Wed 1 Nov
- Game 6* (Texas): Fri 3 Nov
- Game 7* (Texas): Sat 4 Nov
*if needed
Tommy Pham, not to be outdone, followed his first-game home run with a perfect four-for-four showing in game two. As for the Rangers, they failed to make much noise at the plate throughout the game and now head to Arizona’s Chase Field, hoping their fortunes change in games three, four, and five.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about World Series 2023
What was the final score in the World Series game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers?
The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Texas Rangers with a commanding score of 9-1 to level the World Series at 1-1.
Who was the standout player for the Arizona Diamondbacks?
Merrill Kelly was the standout player for the Diamondbacks. He delivered a stellar pitching performance, giving up only three hits, zero walks, and striking out nine batters over seven innings.
What record did Evan Longoria set?
Evan Longoria set the record for the longest gap between World Series appearances for a non-pitcher, clocking in at 15 years. He was previously named AL Rookie of the Year with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008.
Where will the next game in the series be held?
The next game, game three, will be held in Phoenix, Arizona, at Chase Field on Monday evening [00:00 GMT on Tuesday].
How did the Texas Rangers fare against Merrill Kelly?
The Texas Rangers struggled against Merrill Kelly, not registering a hit against him until the bottom of the fourth inning. Mitch Garver’s solo home run in the fifth inning was one of the few highlights for the Rangers.
What is the status of the best-of-seven series?
The best-of-seven series is now leveled at 1-1. The series will switch to Arizona for games three, four, and potentially five.
Did any other player set or tie a record during this game?
Yes, Ketel Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to 18 games, setting a new MLB record.
How did the Texas Rangers’ bullpen perform?
The Rangers’ bullpen had a challenging time, giving up multiple runs after starter Jordan Montgomery was pulled from the game. They did not fare any better against Arizona’s strong lineup.
Who else contributed to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ victory?
Players like Gabriel Moreno, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Corbin Carroll contributed by either hitting home runs or driving in runs, making it a team effort for Arizona’s win.
What will the Texas Rangers need to focus on for the next game?
The Texas Rangers will need to improve their pitching, both from the starting rotation and the bullpen, and find a way to solve Arizona’s dominant pitching if they hope to regain the lead in the series.
More about World Series 2023
- World Series 2023 Schedule
- Arizona Diamondbacks Team Stats
- Texas Rangers Team Stats
- Merrill Kelly Career Highlights
- Evan Longoria’s Record-Setting Career
- MLB Postseason Records
- Chase Field Information
- Globe Life Field Information
- World Series Historical Data
10 comments
So excited for the next game! With the series moving to Arizona, I’m feeling pretty good bout our chances. Lets go D-backs!
Ketel Marte is on fire!! 18-game hitting streak in the postseason is no joke. dude’s in the zone.
Ugh, what a letdown! Our bullpen needs to step it up big time. And can someone plz tell me why we pulled Montgomery so early?
Evan Longoria back in the world series after 15 years and still makin’ an impact! Some heroes don’t wear capes, they wear baseball gloves!
Merrill Kelly, take a bow! Guy was untouchable. rangers need to go back to the drawing board, like, now.
What a turnaround for the Diamondbacks! After losing game one, they came back with a vengeance. This series is gettin’ interesting.
Just wanna say, both teams had their moments, but Arizona’s pitching and batting was top notch. Gonna be a tough act for Texas to follow.
if texas doesn’t fix their pitching and find a way to crack Arizona’s, they’re toast. It’s as simple as that.
Wow, didn’t see that coming! D-backs really showed up this time. Kelly’s a beast on the mound, man. Hope the rangers got something up their sleeve for the next game, or it’s curtains for ’em.
Longoria setting records, Kelly killing it on the mound, and Marte on an 18-game hitting streak? D-backs are the team to beat, no doubt.