World Series 2023: Corey Seager snatches Rangers victory from jaws of Diamondbacks: 'He saved us' in Game 1.
— It was like a thunderbolt deep in the heart of Texas, shaking the joint to its rafters, and when the noise finally died down Friday night, there it was shining lights for all of Texas to see:
Texas Rangers 6, Arizona Diamondbacks 5.
They may be talking about this World Series Game 1 for a long, long time in these parts with Corey Seager rescuing the Rangers with a stunning two-run home run with one out in the 9th inning to tie the game, and then winning it in the 11th inning on Adolis Garcia’s home run that just cleared the fence in right.
It was Garcia's fifth consecutive postseason game with a home run.
This was a game the Diamondbacks appeared to have the game in the bag, running, bunting and powering their way to a 5-3 lead at Globe Life Field.
The Diamondbacks bullpen, which had been spectacular all postseason, had everything all set up with closer Paul Sewald called in to protect their two-run lead. He opened by walking No. 9 hitter Leody Taveras on four pitches. Sewald shook it off, and struck out All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien, bringing up Seager.
Sewald tried to throw a first-pitch fastball by Seager.
He nearly hit it to Dallas, bouncing off the upper deck, 416 feet away.
Seager stopped, looked at his bench, flipped his bat aside, and danced around the bases as 42,472 fans at Globe Life Field screamed.
It was a new ballgame, and in the playoffs, was no ghost runner in the 10th inning to create any fake offense.
The Rangers bullpen, which pitched 6 ⅓ shutout innings, retiring the final 10 batters of the game, provided the opportunity for the heroes.
What's next?
The Diamondbacks and Rangers will reconvene on Saturday night for Game 2. The Diamondbacks will start right-hander Merrill Kelly (12-8, 3.29 ERA) while the Rangers counter with lefty Jordan Montgomery (10-11, 3.20 ERA). First pitch is slated for just after 8 p.m. ET back at Globe Life Field.
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