Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly showcased his dominance once again in the postseason, delivering a stellar performance. The seasoned veteran struck out nine opposing batters and conceded only three hits in his impressive seven-inning, 89-pitch outing against the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.
The D-backs emerged victorious, overwhelming the Rangers with a convincing 9-1 scoreline, effectively equalizing the World Series at one game apiece.
Kelly’s impeccable command of the ball was on full display. He flawlessly executed his pitches on the edges, leaving the Rangers perplexed as they struggled to decipher his changeup, sinker, and curveball.
The right-handed pitcher’s dominance was evident from the start as he retired the first 11 batters faced. However, Evan Carter managed to break the streak, becoming the first Ranger baserunner with a single to center in the bottom of the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver managed to hit a home run off Kelly. Nevertheless, the veteran pitcher swiftly regained his composure, navigating through the inning unscathed.
In the sixth inning, Kelly showed his prowess by striking out the side, leaving the Rangers stunned. Continuing his dominance, he retired the opposing team in order during the seventh inning before manager Torey Lovullo decided to replace him with a reliever in the eighth inning.
Kelly’s performance earned him a place amongst the Diamondbacks’ pitching legends. He joined the likes of Curt Schilling (Game 4 and 7 in 2001) and Randy Johnson (Game 2 in 2001) as the only pitchers in the organization’s history to record at least nine strikeouts in a World Series game.
In an impressive feat, Kelly became the first pitcher of the 2020s to throw seven innings in a World Series game, solidifying his status as an exceptional talent.
This postseason journey marks a significant milestone for the 35-year-old as it serves as his debut on the big stage. In his first postseason start against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS, Kelly showcased his prowess, allowing only three hits and no runs over 6.1 innings.
Although he faced some challenges in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Phillies, surrendering four earned runs in a 10-0 loss, Kelly swiftly bounced back in Game 6. In that crucial match, he allowed only three hits and struck out eight batters over five innings, playing a pivotal role in the D-backs’ victory in Philadelphia.
To stay updated with Merrill Kelly’s journey, you can follow @veenstra_david on Twitter.
