Diamondbacks vs Phillies summary online: stats, scores and highlights | MLB NLCS Game 2 highlights
Phillies dismantle D-backs in rout
Phillies go two up in aerial assault on lackluster D-backs
This was painful to watch. Even as a neutral, this game was no fun. The opening two solo home runs were not the problem. Until the sixth inning, this was actually a close run thing. But the eight runs that followed were like watching someone be slowly strangled to death. Uncomfortable viewiing.
None of this is the Phillies doing you understand. In fact, they played a superb game. It would have been nice, however, if they were playing against some form of opposition.
The starting pitching was excellent on both sides, and while the Diamondbacks' bullpen showed itself to be remarkably shaky, in the end that was not their undoing. Rather, it was the baffling inability of the Arizona bats to do... well... anything. Anything at all.
As the series moves to Phoenix, the Diamondbacks have missed an opportunity to dent the Phillies, and they have now used their two best starters in road losses. They must take at least one of their home games to force the series back to Philadelphia, but if they don't take both then they are in real trouble.
Game 3 will see the wunderkind Brandon Pfaadt get the start, and while he is sure to have a fine outing, particularly at home, it is the lack of scoring by the D-backs offense that is the worry. If you want to win the fight, you have to be in it. And until they can bloody the Phillies' nose, then the Diamondbacks are not contenders. A difficult spot to be in.
Goodbye!
That is going to do it for our live coverage of Game 2 between the Diamondbacks and the Phillies. We hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did!
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We will return tomorrow for Game 3 of the Astros vs Rangers ALCS series as it moves to Arlington.
Until then, good night and God bless!
Phillies win
That is the perfect metaphor for this game. No matter what the count gets to, in the end the Diamondbacks stood there and watched the game end without even swinging the bat.
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Lourdes Gurriel Jr now up and the count runs full before the payoff delivery is a called strike three. That is the ball game!
Gabriel Moreno the hitter and he chases a slider outside for strike three. Arizona down to their last out.
Christian Walker the hitter now and he shoots a lined shot out to left for a single and the D-backs stay alive.
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Pham works the count to 2-2 before watching a backdoor breaking ball fall in for a called strike three. One out, and Pham's turgid playoff run continues.
Top 9th
Tommy Pham will lead off for the D-backs and they are down to their last three outs.
Orion Kerkering will take over on the mound as Garrett Stubbs takes over behind the plate. Edmundo Sosa will stay in the game at shortstop.
Bryce Harper will hit and goes after the first pitch, lining one sharply to short stop for Lawlar. The throw is in time and the inning is over.
Pitching change
That will be it for Slade Cecconi, as Andrew Saalfrank will get the call to take over.
Sosa lifts a fly ball out to right field for Pavin Smith. Two out.
Pinch hitter
Edmundo Sosa will hit now for Trea Turner.
Double
Jake Cave rips a long shot to the gap in left! He is in with a double, and on the throw from Gurriel to short, Cave will try for third. Jordan Lawlar's throw to third is in time and he is out! The Phillies look at it but decide wisely not to appeal.
Bottom 8th
Jordan Lawlar will stay in the game at short stop as Geraldo Perdomo moves over to second. Ketel Marte will exit the game replaced by Pavin Smith in right field.
Jake Cave will pinch hit for Kyle Schwarber to lead things off.
Ketel Marte the hitter now and he pops a high fly ball behind second base. Bryson Stott drifts back and pulls it down to end the inning.
Lawlar works the count to 3-1 before rolling a ground ball to short. Turner goes to second for one and on to first, but there is no chance to get Lawlar.
Pinch hitter
Jordan Lawlar will hit now for Corbin Carroll.
Geraldo Perdomo up now and he works the count full before the payoff from Strahm is fouled into Realmuto's mitt for strike three.
Top 8th
Evan Longoria will lead off for the Diamondbacks and they are in a pickle here. Down by ten runs in the eighth.
Longoria stays selctive and draws a walk.
Pitching change
Matt Strahm will take over from Jeff Hoffman for the Phillies in the eighth.
Johan Rojas will face the new pitcher with two outs and runners on first and second. The count runs full before Rojas grounds one to third. Longoria fields it and makes the throw to end the inning, but the Phillies have blown the roof off the game! Ten runs now for the Phillies.
Pitching change
Ryne Nelson is hit off the mound as Lovullo comes out to take the ball and put him out of his misery. Slade Cecconi will try and get the Diamondbacks out of this.
Brandon Marsh up now with Realmuto on first and he runs the count full. The payoff delivery misses and Marsh draws the walk.
Phillies score
Nick Castellanos up now and he jumps on the first pitch, flying a long shot out to left center. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. pulls it down for the second out, but Bryson Stott tags up and scores on the play.
Phillies score
Realmuto gets back in the box and rips a single past short into left field. Alec Bohm will score! 9-0!
Stott goes to third.
JT Realmuto to hit now and runners are on first and second with one out. The third pitch runs inside and Realmuto claims that he was hit. The umpire said no. It is reviewed and the call stands. No HBP.
Bryson Stott up now and he pops a high fly ball on the infield grass. Nelson drifts over and Longoria looks unsure what to do and the ball falls in! Nobody calls it! You have got to be kidding me! That is insane!
It is all falling apart for Arizona right now!
Phillies score
Alec Bohm the hitter now with men at the corners and one out. He lines a long shot to left center and it falls in! It goes to the wall and two runs will score on the double by Bohm!
It is 8-0!
Bryce Harper to the plate now and he works the count full before Nelson's payoff is poked through to right field for a single! Schwarber rounds second and heads to third. The throw is late and he is in there.
Trea Turner the hitter now with one on and no outs. Nelson delivers a four-seamer for a strike. One more before Turner lines one to short. Perdomo leaps and makes the catch! One down.
Pitching change
Torey Lovullo comes out and that is going to be it for Mantiply. It just wasn't his night. Ryne Nelson will get the call to come take over on the mound.
Bottom 7th
Kyle Schwarber leads off and Mantiply is keeping everything low on him. The count runs to 3-1 before another one misses and Schwarber draws the walk. You can't blame him for staying away from the strike zone there.
Alek Thomas up now and he works the count 2-2 before swinging through a splitter for strike three. Three up, three down.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr now and he jumps on the first pitch, popping a soft fly ball to left for Brandon Marsh. Two gone.
Top 7th
Gabriel Moreno will lead things off for the Diamondbacks here in the seventh and they need a quick response if they want to stay in this game.
They won't do it like that though.
Gabriel Moreno swings and misses at three pitches. One down
Pitching change
The Phillies will ask Jeff Hoffman to take over from Aaron Nola on the mound.
Johan Rojas up now and he taps a little roller to third for Evan Longoria. The throw to first gets him and the inning is over but the Phillies have exploded in the sixth, tacking on three more.
After six, the score is Phillies 6, D-backs 0!
Phillies score
Brandon Marsh the hitter now and he goes the opposite field, running a ball past third base and fair! It squirts into the corner for another double! Realmuto scores! Castellanos to third!
Intentional walk
Nick Castellanos is intentionally walked
Phillies score
Realmuto works the count full before Mantilply's payoff is slapped into the gap in left center! Two runs score on the double!
It is now 5-0 to the Phillies!
Catcher indifference
JT Realmuto the hitter now and on the first pitch Stott takes off. No throw from Moreno.
Stott dribbles a little roller up the middle to center field for a single. Turner heads to third base on the play.
Just as an aside, Trea Turner's slide is the most beautiful thing you could ever hope to see. So smooth.
Pitching change
Torey Lovullo will stride out to the mound and that will be it for Merrill Kelly. He has done a good job tonight, but three mistakes lead to three home runs and Lovullo wants lefty Joe Mantiply to face lefty Bryson Stott.
Bohm takes two balls before popping one up on the infield grass. Geraldo Perdomo drifts in and takes the catch for out number two.
Alec Bohm the hitter and two pickoff attempts to first show that Kelly is worries about Trea Turner at first, and with good reason. Turner can really move.
Bryce Harper up now and there is movement in the Arizona bullpen. Harper takes a big hack at a center cut fastball and just misses it. Wow! You don't see that too often.
The count works to 2-2 before a high fastball catches Harper swinging for strike three. One out.
Trea Turner the hitter and Kelly is keeping everything low. The count runs full but the payoff misses low and Turner draws the walk.
Bottom 6th
Kyle Schwarber leads off for the Phillies and he cranks ANOTHER home run! Right center field and no doubt about it! This is incredible!
I am the first to admit that I was wrong, and before the game I predicted that Schwarber would not hit another home run for a few games. That was SOOOOOOOO WRONG! He is on fire!
Christian Walker up with Marte on second and now two outs. He fouls three off before a low curve catches him swinging for strike three.
Nola gets out of the inning with no damage and the Phillies lead by 2-0 after five and a half.
Pham rips the next delivery to third. Alec Bohm backhands it and goes to first for the out. Two away.
Tommy Pham the hitter representing the tying run and he falls behind quickly 0-2.
Double
Ketel Marte up now and he lines a shot to right field, and it gets into the corner! Marte will be in with a standup double!
Top 6th
Corbin Carroll leads off for the D-backs and rolls a grounder to short. Trea Turner goes to first for out number one.
Johan Rojas up now and he fouls off two before swinging through a third changeup to end the inning.
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Brandon Marsh the hitter now and he whiffs at two changeups before a lovely curve catches him looking. Two down
Bottom 5th
Nick Castellanos leads off for the Phillies and he fouls three pitches off, the last one straight into the catcher's mitt for the first out.
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Geraldo Perdomo the hitter now and he runs the count full. Nola's payoff is a beautiful curve that just buckles Perdomo's legs. Called strike three!
Evan Longoria up now and he drives a deep fly ball to right field. Nick Castellanos goes back to the wall, and this ball has some carry. Castellanos leaps and comes down with it! Great catch. Two away
Top 5th
Alek Thomas leads off for the D-backs in the fifth and he runs the count full before the payoff from Nola is fouled off. And then another and another before Thomas rolls one out to second for Bryson Stott. The throw to first gets him.
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JT Realmuto steps to the plate and he works the count full before Kelly's payoff delivery catches the bottom edge of the zone for a called strike three. Realmuto was not happy about it but it caught that bottom edge.
Bryson Stott up now and he rips a shot to first. Christian Walker flips it to Kelly covering the bag for the second out.
Bottom 4th
Alec Bohm leads off for Philadelphia in the fourth and he dribbles one to short for Perdomo. The throw to first and we have one away.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr up now and he jumps on the first pitch, bouncing it to short stop but right at Trea Turner. The little flip to second gets the final out.
Gabriel Moreno the hitter now and Pham is on first base with two outs. He jumps o the first pitch and ropes it into left field for a single. Pham moves up 90 feet.
Christian Walker up now he watches a perfectly painted cut fastball on the top corner. That was a peach! Two down.
Tommy Pham the hitter now and he has struggled in the post season, going down looking his last time up. The count goes full before Nola's payoff pitch is drilled to third. Alec Bohm makes a diving grab and goes to second to get Ketel Marte, but that is all they will get. One out
Top 4th
Ketel Marte leads off for the D-backs and he rips a shot up the middle for a leadoff single.
Bryce Harper steps to the plate with a man on and two out. He lifts a high fly ball to left! It is drifting back, Lourdes Gurriel is back there with his back against the wall and he makes the catch! Inches away from another home run.
The inning ends but the Phillies add another run and lead now by a score of 2-0.
Trea Turner up now and he works the count full. The payoff from Kelly misses low and Turner draws the walk.
KYLE SCHWARBER HOME RUN!
Kyle Schwarber up now and he rips a line drive deep to right field. Corbin Carroll drifts back and watches it leave the park! A low, line drive home run! That is incredible! That did not look or sound like a home run at all! It fooled everyone, including Schwarber! Wow!
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Johan Rojas the hitter now and he tries to lay down a bunt on the first pitch, but it goes foul. Another foul ball sets up a wicked cutter that comes back in and catches the outside. Rojas goes down looking.
Bottom 3rd
Brandon Marsh leads off for the Phillies here and he lifts a pop foul, just by third base. Evan Longoria is able to get to it and puts it away for out number one.
Corbin Carroll up now and he rips a shot to first base. A diving Bryce Harper nabs it! He flips it to Nola who is racing to the bag, getting there a step before Carroll to end the inning.
Geraldo Perdomo the hitter now and he lifts a high pop fly to short stop. Trea Turner camps out under it and puts it away. Two down
Top 3rd
Evan Longoria will lead things off here in the third for Arizona and he fouls off two pitches before getting frozen on another fastball. He was completely fooled and watched strike three go by.
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Nick Castellanos the hitter now and he runs the count full. He lifts the 3-2 down the right field side for a fan souvenir. Long enough, just not straight. We do it again and the next one is straighter, but right at Corbin Carroll in right field for the third out.
J.T. Realmuto up now and he rips a bouncer down the third base line. Evan Longoria gets to it and makes the long throw from deep in the hole. In time! Two gone.
Bottom 2nd
Bryson Stott leads off and chases the first two pitches, lifting the second one out to center for Alek Thomas. One away.
Alek Thomas will stand in and see what he can make of Aaron Nola, who has been on fire so far. Thomas taps a slow roller to second for Bryson Stott. The throw to first ends the inning and the D-Backs go in order.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr up now and he runs the count full before the payoff delivery from Nola is a sick knuckle curve! Gurriel swings through it for the second out.
Top 2nd
Gabriel Moreno leads off for the Diamondbacks and he rips a shot down the third base line. Bohm lays out and gets to it! From his knees he makes a crazy throw to first and gets Moreno by half a step! What a play by Bohm!
Harper caught stealing
Stott takes a ball and Harper takes off for second. Moreno jumps up and makes a rocket of a throw! He is gunned down by a country mile! What an arm!
Three down, but the Phillies take an early lead on a massive Trea Turner home run, 1-0.
Bryson Stott up now and he fouls the first three pitches back. Harper took off on the last one, before having to trot back on the foul.
Alec Bohm to the plate now and Kelly steps off and then makes a pickoff move to first. The first pitch is a called strike and Moreno tries the back pick to first, and they very nearly get Harper.
Bohm lifts the next pitch to deep center, way back! It is tracked down by Alek Thomas right at the wall! Another two feet and that is gone! As it is, it is a long out. Two down.
Bryce Harper up now and he winds up getting a free pass on four straight pitches.
TREA TURNER HOME RUN!
Trea Turner the hitter now and he gets jammed on a high fastball, throwing the bat as he swings and misses. The bat winds up behind third base.
Not to be undone by that, on the very next pitch, Turner blasts a monster shot to left field! It is way, way, way gone! Upper deck and the Phillies are on the board first again tonight!
Schwarber takes a strike for the first pitch before a ball inside sets up a slow tapper to second. Ketel Marte goes to first for the out.
Bottom 1st
Arizona will head out into the field now and work behind Merrill Kelly on the mound. He will face Kyle Schwarber at the top of this Phillies order.
Christian Walker the hitter now and he pops a lazy fly ball to second. Bryson Stott comes over and takes it to end the inning.
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Two fouls and another pickoff move setup a beautiful called strike three on a fastball. Pham just got caught out. He wasn't looking fastball at all. Two gone
The designated hitter now, Tommy Pham. A pickoff move to first brings Carroll back to the bag.
Ketel Marte the hitter now and he fouls two off before a swing and miss on a peach of a curve ball! One down
Carroll takes a middle-middle fastball for a strike. That would have been a great one to jump on. Instead, he breaks his bat on a curve ball, dribbling it to short stop. Trea Turner bobbles it and Corbin reaches on an opening error!
First pitch
The Phillies are on the field and ready to go. Aaron Nola has been sizzling in the post season and he will take the mound to face Corbin Carroll at the top of this D-Backs order.
The home plate umpire says play ball and the first delivery misses high for a ball.
Away we go!
The D-backs had a flawless record in this postseason until their 5-3 loss to the Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series at Citizens Bank Park on Monday. Tuesday will be their first opportunity to show the same level of determination that got them this far in the postseason.
Our own Svetozar Pavlović looks at the lineups here
LINEUPS
The Home Team
Phillies Batting Order
1. Schwarber (DH) *L
2. Turner (SS) *R
3. Harper (1B) *L
4. Bohm (3B) *R
5. Stott (2B) *L
6. Realmuto (C) *R
7. Castellanos (RF) *R
8. Marsh (LF) *L
9. Rojas (CF) *R
The Visitors
Diamondbacks Batting Order
1. Carroll (RF) *L
2. Marte (2B) *S
3. Pham (DH) *R
4. Walker (1B) *R
5. Moreno (C) *R
6. Gurriel (LF) *R
7. Thomas (CF) *L
8. Longoria (3B) *R
9. Perdomo (SS) *S
STARTING PITCHERS REGULAR SEASON STATS
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Merrill Kelly (RHP)
12 - 8
3.29 ERA
187 K
177.2 IP
1.19 WHIP
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Aaron Nola (RHP)
12 - 9
4.46 ERA
202 K
193.2 IP
1.15 WHIP
PITCHING
Arizona will start local boy Merrill Kelly tonight. He carried a shutout into the seventh in his last outing against the Dodgers. Following the sweep of LA, Kelly has had ten days off and should be well rested. In their lone regular-season meeting, the Phillies scored three runs off Kelly over six innings back in June.
Philadelphia will go to Old Faithful, Aaron Nola tonight. He has been exceptional in the post season after an up and down regular season. When these two teams met in the regular season, Nola gave up three runs in 6.2 innings, striking out nine.
WELCOME!!!!
Welcome to the Diario AS USA live commentary of Game 2 of the 2023 NLCS matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Game 1 was big for Philadelphia. They came off the emotional high of taking down a heavyweight in the Atlanta Braves and getting that first win, especially at home, is a statement of intent for them and their fans. They out-homered the Diamondbacks and that was the difference in the score.
Arizona will have a ton of pressure on their shoulders in Game 2, but must feel pretty good about their chances. The three big blasts aside, they did a passable job against a known powerhouse batting order. Plus, with all due respect to Schwarber, it is probably preferable for the D-backs to get his bomb out of the way early. The poster boy for boom-or-bust, it is unlikely that Schwarbs will have another in the tank for the few games.
Bryce Harper is an altogether different proposition. Few players in either league have been as hot as he is over the last few weeks. There is little doubt that he will hit the ball to the moon if you give him anything close to the zone.
On the other side of the baselines, the D-Backs have been matching opponents shot for shot throughout the post season. Last night, the fell short and it cost them the game, but you can expect the bats of Corbin Carroll and Evan Longoria to come to life sooner rather than later.
Going in their favor might be the fact that the Phillies are playing a role that they are not accustomed to. Normally the underdog, the Phillies are firm favorites tonight, and that is an unknown quantity. Arizona will want to sting them hard and go back to Phoenix with a win in hand.