- World Series. Diamondbacks dominate the Rangers at home 9-1 to tie World Series 1-1
- World Series. Adolis Garcia's walkoff HR completes Rangers' comeback over D-backs in opener
The Arizona Diamondbacks reacted to their Game 1 loss by conquering the Rangers in Game 2, finishing with an appalling score of 9-1 and tying the series 1-1.
In Game 2, Arizona found its groove by securing precise defensive pitching and a clear offensive to neutralize the Rangers, however, many things can change from one game to the other as the Rangers regardless if the rangers are playing another away game at Chase Field in AZ.
According to the history books, 70% of the teams who have the upper hand and take a 2-1 lead on the best of seven series win the World Series.
Tommy Pham strikes out swinging.
Christian Walker strikes out swinging.
Strike zone called into question
Moreno thought he had worked a leadoff walk, but a 3-1 slider out of the zone was called a ball. He eventually grounded out.
The call was controversial, to say the least.
Gabriel Moreno grounds out to third.
Last chance for the Snakes
The Rangers will send closer Jose Leclerc to the mound to get the final three outs. Can Arizona mount a rally in the bottom of the ninth?
Nathaniel Lowe grounds out to second base, deflected by the pitcher.
Pitching change
Andrew Saalfrank replaces Luis Frias.
Jonah Heim strikes out swinging.
Highway robbery
Center fielder Alek Thomas takes away extra bases from Mitch Garver.
Mitch Garver flies out to center.
Evan Carter walks.
Another defensive gem from the Texas infield
Corey Seager is having himself a game. He turns an inning-ending double play to wrap up the eighth inning.
Ketel Marte grounds into a double play, shortstop to second to first. Perdomo out at second.
Corbin Carroll strikes out looking.
Arizona on the board
Perdomo laces a single to left, and it's a two-run game in the desert.
Geraldo Perdomo singles to left, Rivera scores. 3-1, Texas.
Emmanuel Rivera (pinch-hitting for Evan Longoria) doubles on a line drive to right.
Pitching change
Aroldis Chapman replaces Josh Sborz.
GARCIA OUT OF GAME 3
The Rangers have pulled the All-Star outfielder in the bottom of the eighth inning. Travis Jankowski has replaced him in right field.
ADOLIS GARCIA INJURED
As he trotted to first base to end the eighth inning, Garcia grabbed at his lower back. It remains to be seen if he stays in the game.
Adolis Garcia flies out to center.
Corey Seager strikes out swinging.
Marcus Semien grounds out to second.
Pitching change
Luis Frias replaces Kyle Nelson.
Alek Thomas strikes out swinging.
Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. strikes out swinging.
Tommy Pham doubles on a fly ball to center.
Christian Walker grounds out to second.
Pitching change
Josh Sborz replaces Jon Gray.
Leody Taveras grounds out to third.
Josh Jung grounds out to shortstop.
Diamondbacks thinking about Game 4?
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo is staying away from his trusted circle of relievers as the D-backs continue to trail into the 7th inning. It's likely Lovullo considers Game 3 a lost cause -- and with Game 4 set to be a battle of the bullpens, he will want his high-leverage arms fresh and ready to go for Tuesday night.
Nathaniel Lowe flies out to left.
Pitching change
Kyle Nelson replaces Miguel Castro.
Gabriel Moreno flies out to right.
Ketel Marte singles on a line drive to right.
Corbin Carroll strikes out swinging.
Geraldo Perdomo strikes out swinging.
Final line on Pfaadt
Arizona's rookie pitcher threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and recording 4 strikeouts to 2 walks.
Jonah Heim grounds out to third.
Mitch Garver flies out to center.
Evan Carter singles on a line drive to left, Garcia advances to second.
Pitching change
Miguel Castro replaces Brandon Pfaadt.
Adolis Garcia walks.
Corey Seager flies out to left center.
D-backs can't touch Gray
As he did in Game 1, Jon Gray is mowing down Arizona's hitters. In this series, he has pitched 3 2/3 inningsz, striking out 5, walking 0, and allowing only 1 hit.
Evan Longoria pops out in foul territory.
Alek Thomas grounds out to pitcher.
Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. grounds out to third.
Marcus Semien grounds out to third.
Leody Taveras lines out to third.
Josh Jung strikes out swinging.
Nathaniel Lowe walks.
The moment Max knew he was done
The broadcast shows Scherzer's attempts to come back out for the fourth inning.
Tommy Pham flies out to center.
Christian Walker grounds out to third.
Gabriel Moreno strikes out swinging.
Back pain ends Scherzer's night
The Rangers righty threw only 36 pitches.
Scherzer is done after three innings!
The Texas starter appeared to be in some pain while throwing warm up pitches. Jon Gray -- the scheduled Game 4 starter -- has replaced him.
Former D-backs pitcher blending in amongst the crowd
Zack Greinke -- a former Cy Young Award winner -- is at Chase Field for Game 3.
Jonah Heim flies out to left.
Mitch Garver strikes out swinging.
Evan Carter grounds out to second.
Scherzer settling in
The Rangers' starter is showing why he is a future Hall of Fame inductee. He has worked around baserunners in all three innings as Texas is looking to retake the lead in the series.
Ketel Marte flies out to left.
Corbin Carroll walks and advances to second on a wild pitch.
Geraldo Perdomo flies to out to right.
Evan Longoria strikes out swinging.
Seager smashes one
The Rangers star hits a no-doubter as Texas leaps out to a 3-0 lead.
Adolis Garcia strikes out swinging.
Corey Seager hits a two-run home run to right field, Semien scores. 3-0, Texas.
Marcus Semien singles on a line drive to left field, Lowe scores. 1-0, Texas.
Leody Taveras grounds out to second. Lowe advances to third.
Josh Jung strikes out swinging.
Nathaniel Lowe doubles on a ground ball to center.
Incredible defensive play!
Josh Jung gets the Rangers out of the second inning with a sterling reaction play.
Alek Thomas grounds out to third.
Adolis Garcia comes up clutch
The Diamondbacks won't be running on Garcia's arm again.
Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. pops out to second base.
Tommy Pham singles on a line drive to right field. Christian Walker thrown out at home, Pham advances to second on the throw.
Christian Walker doubles on a fly ball to right-center field.
D-backs legends fire up the crowd
Luis Gonzalez and Randy Johnson -- heroes of Arizona's 2001 championship team -- threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Jonah Heim flies out to center.
Mitch Garver grounds into a double play, pitcher to second to first. Carter out at second.
Evan Carter singles on a ground ball to right.
Both pitchers throw up zeroes
Brandon Pfaadt had no problems setting the Rangers down in order to begin Game 3. Max Scherzer had some command trouble, issuing a walk to the red-hot Ketel Marte, but a double play got him out of the inning.
Gabriel Moreno grounds into a double play, shortstop to second to first. Marte out at second.
Ketel Marte walks.
Corbin Carroll grounds out to shortstop.
Standing room only at Chase Field
These fans have found a unique way to catch Game 3 of the World Series.
Adolis Garcia flies out to center.
Corey Seager grounds out, first base to pitcher.
Marcus Semien flies out to right.
The 2023 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers continues on Monday with Game 3 at Chase Field.
Although Arizona dominated the Rangers with an impressive offensive onslaught, this is not the first time that Texas has endured difficulties on the road toward the World Series, as they had an 8-0 record on the road during the 2023 postseason to tie the 1996 Yankees.
When interviewed about the odds, left fielder Evan Carter commented "History serves us well, for sure, going on the road, we have all the confidence in the world that we're going to show back up and be ready to go."
Lineups and Starting Pitchers
- Rangers: RHP Max Scherzer
Although Max Scherzer has not had a lot of action after leaving the regular season due to a shoulder injury, when he came back to open against the Astros in Game 3 of the ALCS he allowed 5 runs in 4 innings and then returned on Game 7 to allow 2 runs in 2 and a half innings, however, he spoke with Texas GM Bruce Bochy and assured he's still got some game in him.
- Diamondbacks: RHP Brandon Pfaadt
Pfaadt had a hand in the Diamondbacks' triumph over the Phillies in the NLCS after he managed to steer the ship during the first two games and struck out 9 batters in a total of 5 and a half innings, he later came back on game 7 striking out 7 batters over the course of four innings.
- Texas Rangers Starting Lineup
- Marcus Semien, 2B
- Corey Seager, SS
- Adolis García, RF
- Evan Carter, LF
- Mitch Garver, DH
- Jonah Heim, C
- Nathaniel Lowe, 1B
- Josh Jung, 3B
- Leody Taveras, CF
- Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup
- Corbin Carroll, RF
- Ketel Marte, 2B
- Gabriel Moreno, C
- Christian Walker, 1B
- Tommy Pham, DH
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Alek Thomas, CF
- Evan Longoria, 3B
- Geraldo Perdomo, SS
Final: Rangers 3, Diamondbacks 1
Texas lost Max Scherzer and Adolis Garcia to injury, but lights-out relief pitching and a big third inning steered the Rangers to victory in Game 3 of the World Series. The Rangers have won nine consecutive road games to begin the postseason -- an MLB record.
For the Diamondbacks, Game 4 becomes essential. Arizona did not use any of its high-leverage relievers and will have them available for Tuesday night, but its offense must rebound after scoring just once on six hits during Monday's game.
The Rangers have a chance to take command of the series in Game 4 -- can the home team answer back?