(Phoenix) Ketel Marte capped a three-hit performance with a game-ending single in the ninth inning, rookie Brandon Pfaadt pitched for 5 2/3 innings without a run, and the Diamondbacks Arizona beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 on Thursday to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the National League Championship Series.
Marte is in the midst of a 12-game playoff hitting streak.
Marte said he wasn’t nervous during his at-bat.
“The pressure doesn’t affect me,” said the athlete. I know what kind of hitter I am. »
On the verge of trailing 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, the Diamondbacks evened the score on Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s double.
Gurriel led off the ninth inning with a single against Craig Kimbrel, before stealing second base. He reached third on Pavin Smith’s single.
Gurriel was called out at the plate by shortstop Trea Turner on Emmanuel Rivera’s strike.
Bryce Harper gave the Phillies the lead by scoring on Ryan Thompson’s missed throw.
The reigning national champions, the Phillies began the playoffs with a 7-1 record, while outscoring the Diamondbacks 15-3 in the first two games of the series at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies hit six long balls in these two duels.
After pitching four and a third scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the previous round, Pfaadt struck out nine batters and gave up two hits against the Phillies.
“It was fun,” Pfaadt said. Things were working well for me. I was able to focus and execute my pitches the way I wanted, and get big takeouts. »
Pfaadt and relievers Andrew Saalfrank, Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald allowed just three hits total.
Sewald earned the win by throwing a third strike to Alec Bohm to get the third out in the top of the ninth inning.
For the Phillies, Ranger Suarez gave up three hits and struck out seven batters in five and a third innings of work. His work day ended after Marte’s double in the sixth inning.
Suarez’s 0.94 ERA is the lowest for a pitcher after eight career playoff games.
The Diamondbacks ended their 17-inning scoreless streak in the seventh.
Even though the game was played in the afternoon on a weekday, the Diamondbacks reported a sold-out stadium of 47,075 spectators.