The D-backs breathe and keep dreaming! Ketel Marte produced two runs, Tommy Pham, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Evan Longoria also produced runs in the 5-1 triumph of the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, which will be resolved in a do-or-die game at Citizens Bank Park.
With four earned runs allowed, Aaron Nola (3-1) suffered his first loss of the postseason. The star pitcher from Philadelphia also issued two walks and was punished with four hits in exchange for four strikeouts in four and a third innings of work. Merrill Kelly fought for the D-Backs and was on the mound for five innings, in which he only allowed three hits, one run, and three walks, with eight strikeouts.
The second inning was crucial for Arizona: Pham flew the ball with a home run to left field, Gurriel also hit a homer, and Longoria hit a double that drove in Mexican player Alek Thomas to home plate, with the three first runs of the night.
The Phillies didn't want to be left behind and Brandon Marsh hit a single to right field that drove in J.T. Realmuto, but it was all that Philadelphia could do offensively. Marte sealed the victory with a triple and a single in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively, pushing Corbin Carroll and Geraldo Perdomo.
In a series where both teams showed determination to defend their home, the D-Backs avenged themselves from Game 5 when they lost at Chase Field. They demonstrated that Citizens Bank Park is not an unbeatable home and their next mission will be to repeat in this scenario to pursue the World Series for the first time since 2001, when they won it.
On the other hand, the Phillies want to return to the Fall Classic, just like they did last year.
FCM