(Phoenix) A three-run, two-out spurt in the third inning lifted the Texas Rangers to a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night in Phoenix.
With this victory, the Rangers regain a two-to-one lead in this four-of-seven series. The fourth and fifth games will be presented Tuesday and Wednesday in Arizona.
The Rangers improved to 9-0 on the road since the start of the playoffs, although they lost starter Max Scherzer and star right wing Adolis Garcia on Monday.
The latter left in the eighth inning due to tightness in his left side after appearing to have injured himself while swinging during an at-bat.
“It’s difficult. We’re a group with depth. We’ll see what happens with these two guys,” second baseman Marcus Semien said about Scherzer and Garcia’s injuries.
“Adolis has been the heart and soul of our team. I hope it’s nothing too bad. But we are a group with depth. We have guys who haven’t played and who are also good players. »
The Rangers only had five hits, but three of them came in the third inning.
First baseman Nathaniel Lowe led off the inning with a double to Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt.
Stationed at third base two outs later, Lowe crossed the plate after Semien’s single to left-center field.
Corey Seager immediately followed with Pfaadt’s first offering into right field, representing his fifth home run since the start of the playoffs.
“We come in ready to play every night, no matter where we are,” Seager said. That’s what we’re focused on doing. »
Half an inning earlier, the Diamondbacks missed a big opportunity against Scherzer.
Christian Walker led off the inning with a double to right center field. Tommy Pham followed with a base hit to right field and Walker went to home plate despite instructions from his third base coach to stop his run.
Garcia recovered the ball and his relay at the base allowed Walker to withdraw.
“I feel like it was a huge turning point,” Diamondbacks coach Torey Lovullo said.
“It was a crucial moment. We were tied for a few innings. »
The second inning ended when Alek Thomas hit a hard grounder that hit Scherzer in the right elbow before bouncing to third baseman Josh Jung. The latter took a relay towards the first cushion which narrowly beat Thomas.
The Diamondbacks scored their only run in the eighth inning against reliever Aroldis Chapman.
Relief pinch hitter Emmanuel Rivera opened the inning with a double and crossed the plate on a single by Geraldo Perdomo.
After Chapman struck out Corbin Carroll for three hits, the veteran reliever got out of trouble with the help of Seager, who, from his position at shortstop, made a nice defensive play to start a double play that stifled the threat.
“I just tried to make the play,” Seager described. I think Marcus did a better job than I did with the pivot and the transfer. Congratulations to him, congratulations to Chapman for throwing a good pitch and we got out of the inning. »
Five Rangers pitchers held Diamondbacks hitters to six hits.
The win went to Jon Gray, who gave up just one hit in three innings in relief of Scherzer. Perfect in the ninth round, José Leclerc was credited with a saved game.
“I tried to stay ready […] and I was waiting for the call. I knew he would come eventually,” said Gray, a veteran starter who recently returned from injury.
“To be able to show up now and do really good work is a really good feeling.” »
Furthermore, Scherzer left the game before he could even throw a single pitch in the fourth inning. According to the Rangers, he resigned due to back tightness.
In three complete innings, Scherzer allowed two hits and two walks, while also recording one strikeout.
In five and a third innings, Pfaadt gave up four hits, two walks and three earned runs. He recorded four strikeouts.
With David Brandt, Associated Press
