The Arizona Diamondbacks had runners at the corners with no outs. Jose Alvarado needed only three pitches to escape the jam.
A MASSIVE double play and the runner gets held at third! pic.twitter.com/DSUBLyy54E
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 19, 2023
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning, the Phillies played the infield in, in hopes of keeping runner Lourdes Gurriel at third. Usually that means a team is sacrificing the chance at a double play. Not in this case.
After Alvarado's 1-0 pitch was grounded to short, Trea Turner threw to Bryson Stott, who doubled up Emmanuel Rivera as Gurriel stayed at third base. One pitch later, Geraldo Perdomo grounded to the pitcher and the inning was over, still tied 1-1.
Gurriel may be remembered more for his base running than his RBI double earlier in the inning, which tied the game for Arizona.
Gurriel drives in Alek Thomas and the game is tied! pic.twitter.com/3dDt6O0GI1
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 19, 2023
It appeared the third base coach held him back. Still, once Turner went to second, it was probably worth the risk for Gurriel to try for home, especially with the struggling Perdomo due up next.
Alvarado not only kept the game tied, but he did it so efficiently that he remained fresh enough to start the eighth inning, when he retired lefties Corbin Carroll and Alec Thomas. The two teams headed into the ninth tied, thanks to some great defense and some very conservative baserunning.
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