Arizona escaped the brink thanks to the strikeout show of ‘KBO reverse export legend’ Meryl Kelly.
The Arizona Diamondbacks won 5-1 in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series (best of 7) against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2023 Major League Postseason held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on the 24th (Korean time).
Arizona, driven to the brink, avenged its loss in Game 5 on enemy territory and dragged the series to Game 7. Arizona won games 3, 4, and 6, and Philadelphia won games 1, 2, and 5.
The team that will advance to the World Series will be decided in the fateful 7th game on the 25th. Arizona is aiming to advance to the World Series for the second consecutive year, 22 years after 2001, and Philadelphia is aiming to advance to the World Series for the second year in a row.
Philadelphia took the opportunity to score first. Against Arizona’s starting pitcher Kelly in the first inning, leadoff pitchers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper walked, setting up first and second bases with one out. However, Alec Bohm struck out looking and Bryson Stott hit a fly ball to shortstop, failing to capitalize on the chance.
Then, Louerdes Gurriel Jr. hit a solo home run, completing back-to-back home runs. Gurriel Jr. caught Nola’s third pitch sinker in 1B-1S and went over the left-center wall. It was the one shot that silenced Citizens Bank Park.
Arizona didn’t stop. Alec Thomas continued the momentum with a walk, and Evan Longoria led the way with a one-run double and an RBI double. However, the ensuing second base chance with no outs was not saved as Heraldo Perdomo hit a fly ball to right field, Corbin Carroll hit a grounder to first base, and Ketel Marte hit a fly ball to left field.
Philadelphia launched a counterattack immediately in the second inning. Leading pitcher JT Realmuto hit a double to change the mood, and Brandon Marsh, who appeared at second base with one out and one out, hit a timely hit with an RBI single to right. Afterwards, Johan Rojas advanced on a base hit and Schwarber reached 1st and 3rd base with 2 outs and a walk, but Trey Turner suffered a missed swing and struck out. 메이저놀이터
Arizona’s batting lineup showed strength again in the 5th inning. With one out and Carroll on base with a single, Marte widened the gap with an RBI triple to deep right.
The concentration in the 7th episode also stood out. Leading pitcher Perdomo immediately created a scoring opportunity with a single to left and a stolen second base, and Marte, who appeared at second base with one out, hit a timely hit with one RBI to seal the game.
Kelly, the legendary KBO exporter, saved the team from crisis by pitching 5 innings, allowing 1 run, 3 hits, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts. On the 18th, he overcame a slump in Game 2, allowing 3 hits (3 home runs) and 4 runs in 5⅔ innings, and was reborn as a hero for the Diamondbacks.
In the batting lineup, Marte went 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs, Perdomo went 2-for-4 with 1 run, and Pam hit the game-winning home run, leading the team to escape the cliff.
On the other hand, Philadelphia starter Nola became the losing pitcher after allowing 4 runs, 6 hits (2 home runs), 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, and 4 ⅓ innings. Bom and Marcy’s multi-hits were overshadowed by the loss.
Arizona and Philadelphia will play the final game 7 at the same venue on the 25th.
It was a chance after a crisis. Arizona’s batting lineup exploded in the second inning. It started with a solo home run by leadoff man Tommy Pham. 1B-2S He was caught in an unfavorable count, but after watching one ball, he attacked Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola’s 5th pitch knuckle curve and went over the left wall. The moment when the winning hit was reported.