Arizona Diamondbacks stumble in World Series Game 3, fall to Texas Rangers 3-1
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The Diamondbacks outplayed the Rangers for the vast majority of two games in Texas, giving themselves a tangible upper hand even as the World Series was tied at one game apiece. In Game 3 on Monday night at Chase Field, they squandered that energy in a 3-1 defeat.
Brandon Pfaadt went deeper into the game than he has at any point in these playoffs, facing 21 batters and allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings. He was excellent outside of the third inning, when the Rangers made him pay for a pair of missed locations, first on an RBI single from Marcus Semien then on a first-pitch changeup that Corey Seager smashed to right field for a two-run home run.
The Diamondbacks’ offense finally got on the board in the eighth inning, when Geraldo Perdomo singled Emmanuel Rivera home with no outs. But their two best hitters wasted the opportunity when Corbin Carroll struck out looking on a slider over the middle and Ketel Marte grounded sharply into a double play.
The Diamondbacks still had hope entering the ninth inning, but Gabriel Moreno was called back into the batter’s box on what appeared to be a clear ball in a 3-1 count. He then grounded out to third and Christian Walker and Tommy Pham both struck out swinging to end the game.
—Theo Mackie
Nick Piecoro's analysis: DBacks bats go silent in Game 3 as Rangers take 2-1 World Series lead
Diamondbacks finally get on scoreboard in eighth inning
The Diamondbacks finally showed some offensive life in the eighth inning of Game 3, getting themselves on the board and trimming the Rangers’ lead to 3-1.
Emmanuel Rivera led off the inning as a pinch hitter for Evan Longoria and immediately lined a double into the right field corner. After working the count to 2-1 against Rangers set-up man Aroldis Chapman, Geraldo Perdomo brought Rivera home with a single into left field.
But the promising rally was quickly snuffed out. Corbin Carroll stared at a Chapman 89 mph slider down the middle for strike three, and then Ketel Marte hit a sharp grounder to short, where Corey Seager made a nifty backhanded play to initiate a 6-4-3 double play and end the inning. Both outs were upheld by video replay.
The Diamondbacks’ hopes now rest on their ability to get to Rangers’ closer José Leclerc.
—Theo Mackie
Diamondbacks offense silent through six innings
Ever since Christian Walker was thrown out at home plate with no outs in the second inning, the Diamondbacks’ offense has been held completely silent. They trail the Rangers, 3-0, after six innings in Game 3 of the World Series.
Over the past four inning, they have had just two batters reach base. Corbin Carroll walked with two outs in the third inning and was stranded on second after a wild pitch. In the sixth, Ketel Marte singled on a hard-hit ball that Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien reached with his glove but could not bring in. Like with Carroll, the Diamondbacks could not take advantage of Marte’s contribution. Gabriel Moreno flied to right to end the inning.
Marte's single — provided it is not overturned to an error — extended his MLB record postseason hitting streak to 19 games.
On the pitching side, Brandon Pfaadt was pulled after 5 1/3 innings, when he walked Adolis García. Miguel Castro entered in his place and navigated the Diamondbacks out of the sixth inning.
—Theo Mackie
Rangers starter Max Scherzer departs with back tightness
After three scoreless innings, Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer is out of Game 3.
Scherzer left the game with back tightness, according to the Rangers.
Right-hander Jon Gray takes over in his place. Gray fired 1 2/3 innings with four strikeouts in a relief appearance in Game 1. He had been viewed as a possible option to start Game 4 on Tuesday but this would seemingly eliminate that possibility.
The Rangers lead the Diamondbacks, 3-0, through four innings.
—Nick Piecoro
Rangers jump on Pfaadt in third as Seager homers
The Rangers jumped ahead of the Diamondbacks, 3-0, in the third inning of Monday’s World Series Game 3.
Brandon Pfaadt had dominated the Rangers through two innings, flashing the same impressive arsenal that has allowed him to be one of the surprises of this postseason. But he gave up a lead-off double to Nathaniel Lowe, an at-bat in which he threw two borderline pitches with two strikes and got the call on neither. Pfaadt got to two outs without letting Lowe score, but then gave up an RBI single to Marcus Semien on a fastball. A pitch later, Corey Seager turned on a changeup over the inside edge and crushed it out to right field for his second home run of the series.
Pfaadt needed just 18 pitches through two innings but threw 29 in the third inning alone.
—Theo Mackie
Rangers’ defense keeps DBacks off board in 2nd inning
The Rangers made two spectacular defensive plays to keep runs off the board in the bottom of the second inning, and the Diamondbacks and Rangers remained scoreless through two innings in Game 3 of the World Series at Chase Field.
Rangers right fielder Adolis Garcia unleashed a strong, accurate throw from the right-center field gap to cut down Christian Walker trying to score. Two batters later, Rangers third baseman Josh Jung picked up a comebacker that deflected off pitcher Max Scherzer and threw across the diamond to beat Alek Thomas to first.
Walker opened the inning with a double off the base of the wall in right-center field, a hit that came after a loud ovation from the crowd. The fan base had wanted to try to show support for Walker, who has been struggling at the plate in the postseason, in hopes of snapping him out of his funk. Perhaps it worked.
Tommy Pham followed by shooting a base hit into right field and Walker rounded third aggressively, running right past a stop sign from third-base coach Tony Perezchica.
Garcia’s throw home was a one-hopper and right on the money, beating Walker to the plate by several feet.
With Pham at second, Thomas hit a comebacker that hit off Scherzer’s back but ricocheted right toward Jung, who charged, picked it up with his barehand and beat Thomas to first by a half step.
—Nick Piecoro
Aaron Judge receives Clemente Award before Game 3
Prior to Game 3 of the World Series at Chase Field, Major League Baseball named Yankees superstar Aaron Judge as the winner of the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award in a ceremony behind home plate. The annual award is given to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”
In 2018, Judge founded the Aaron Judge ALL RISE foundation, which works with young people in the Bronx to “become responsible civilians by engaging them in activities that encourage them to reach unlimited possibilities.” Each team has one finalist for the Clemente Award. The Diamondbacks’ nominee was former shortstop Nick Ahmed.
—Theo Mackie
World Series Game 3 pitching matchup
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-0, 2.70) vs. Rangers RHP Max Scherzer (0-1, 9.45)
Pfaadt has been perhaps the revelation of the postseason for the Diamondbacks. After a regular season in which he had a 5.72 ERA, he has struck out 22 batters and walked just three in the playoffs. … Last time out, Pfaadt allowed two runs in four innings while striking out seven as the Diamondbacks beat the Phillies, 4-2, in Game 7 of the NLCS. … Pfaadt has not been allowed to face more than 18 batters in a postseason game, though manager Torey Lovullo has said before each start that he could face “18 plus or minus four” batters. … Scherzer returned from a strain of the teres major, a muscle group in the upper back and shoulder, during the ALCS. In Game 7 against the Astros, he went 2 2/3 innings, allowing two runs. He hadn't pitched since Sept. 12.
World Series schedule
Best-of-7, all games on Fox
Friday, Oct. 27: Rangers, Diamondbacks 5 (11 innings)
Saturday, Oct. 28: Diamondbacks 9, Rangers 1, series tied 1-1
Monday, Oct. 30: Rangers at Diamondbacks, 5:03 p.m.: Rangers RHP Max Scherzer (0-1, 9.45) vs. Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-0, 2.70).
Tuesday, Oct. 31: Rangers at Diamondbacks, 5:03 p.m., pitchers TBA
Wednesday, Nov. 1: Rangers at Diamondbacks, 5:03 p.m.: Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (4-0, 2.42) vs. Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (2-2, 5.24) ... stats entering Friday.
x-Friday, Nov. 3: Diamondbacks at Rangers, 5:03 p.m.
x-Saturday, Nov. 4: Diamondbacks at Rangers, 5:03 p.m.
x-if necessary
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks stumble in World Series Game 3, fall to Rangers 3-1
