The Arizona Diamondbacks pulled off an improbable win on Tuesday to open their NL Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Playing on the road and having their starter struggle, Arizona was able to win thanks to Corbin Carroll and the bullpen.
With Brandon Pfaadt allowing three runs and seven hits in 2.2 frames, the D-Backs needed their bullpen to show up and be flawless.
They showed up.
And they were flawless.
“The @DBacks bullpen threw 6 1/3 scoreless IP to secure the Game 1 win. That’s a franchise record for relief innings in a victorious postseason game. Pfaadt’s start — 2 2/3 IP — was the second shortest in DBacks postseason history,” MLB insider Jon Morosi tweeted.
The @DBacks bullpen threw 6 1/3 scoreless IP to secure the Game 1 win.
That’s a franchise record for relief innings in a victorious postseason game.
Pfaadt’s start — 2 2/3 IP — was the second shortest in DBacks postseason history.@MLBNetwork @MLBStats
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 4, 2023
Joe Mantiply, Miguel Castro, Ryne Nelson, Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel, and Paul Sewald were the six heroes, the most important men in Arizona’s victory on Tuesday night.
The Snakes were forced to throw Pfaadt because Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly would have been on short rest.
Pfaadt didn’t pitch well, but his teammates in the bullpen had his back in a big way.
Carroll went 2-for-3 with two runs, two walks, two RBI, and a home run, while Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno also went yard.
The D-Backs were, improbably, able to inflict damage on Corbin Burnes, who conceded four runs in four innings to lose the game.
Now, Arizona will be able to send its best pitcher, Zac Gallen, to the mound on Wednesday, while the Brewers will counter with Freddy Peralta.
For Milwaukee, it’s now a win-or-go-home game.
The post Diamondbacks Had A Key Unit Step Up In Game 1 appeared first on The Cold Wire.