PHILADELPHIA—On Aug. 11, two months before the Arizona Diamondbacks secured the National League pennant with a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, manager Torey Lovullo faced a seemingly insurmountable challenge. After losing their ninth consecutive game, the Diamondbacks appeared to be fading out of postseason contention. Lovullo expressed his determination to turn things around and secure a chance at the playoffs.
And turn things around, they did. The Diamondbacks broke their losing streak and went on to win more games than they lost, leading them to secure a postseason spot as the sixth seed. Despite their 84 wins and a run differential that suggested they should have performed worse, the Diamondbacks had earned a ticket to the dance—the World Series. It had been 15 years since a team with such little regular season success had reached this stage.
The Diamondbacks’ journey to the World Series left baseball fans perplexed and amazed. Few predicted their successful run, particularly after the Phillies won the first two games of the Championship Series. The 45,397 fans at Citizens Bank Park were left in disbelief as Arizona completed their improbable comeback.
Their victory in the Championship Series was a testament to the grit and hustle displayed by the Diamondbacks. Rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll had a stellar performance, contributing three hits, two runs, and a crucial seventh-inning sacrifice fly. Fellow rookie Gabriel Moreno provided two RBI singles, and the relief corps held steady against the Phillies’ sluggers. Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s decision to stick with third baseman Alec Bohm paid off, as he contributed a home run and a run scored. However, the rest of the Phillies lineup failed to match Arizona’s performance, ultimately leading to their defeat.
With their victory in the Championship Series, the Diamondbacks secured their spot in the World Series for the first time since 2001. The team that once seemed destined for collapse had defied all expectations. Manager Torey Lovullo, who had accumulated a list of slights from the press and the public, reveled in the team’s success, relishing in proving the naysayers wrong. On the other hand, Phillies manager Rob Thomson remained focused on the task at hand, choosing to ignore the chatter surrounding his decisions.
The Diamondbacks understood the importance of starting strong in the World Series, and they delivered in the first inning of Game 7. Carroll and Moreno provided the offensive firepower, leading to a 1-0 lead for Arizona. However, Bohm’s home run in the bottom of the first brought the Phillies and their fans back into the game. The Diamondbacks’ rookie pitcher, Pfaadt, managed to strike out Schwarber and strand Marsh on base, preventing further damage.
The Phillies took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning with a double from Stott. However, the lead didn’t last long as Carroll’s single and stolen base set up Moreno’s go-ahead hit in the sixth, giving the Diamondbacks a 3-2 lead. Despite a valiant effort from the Phillies’ bullpen, they couldn’t mount a comeback. The Diamondbacks held onto their lead, securing their spot in the World Series.
The Diamondbacks’ journey to the World Series left fans in awe, leaving them to wonder how Arizona had accomplished such a feat. One thing was for sure—Arizona had defied the odds and proved their worth, silencing the doubters along the way. As they prepared for Game 1 of the World Series, the Diamondbacks were ready to continue their journey and make history.
