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The Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks entered the 2023 NL Championship Series with much at stake.
For Philly, a chance at redemption and another shot at a World Series ring. For the Diamondbacks, a chance to shock the world and return to the World Series for the second time ever. Both teams met last night in Game 1 of the NLCS and the Phillies emerged one step closer to their goal.
The Phillies defeated Arizona 5-3 last night in game one of the NLCS.
Here’s what went down:
How It Happened
The @Phillies go around the horn to phinish Game 1 of the #NLCS. pic.twitter.com/HguBFx9UT1
— MLB (@MLB) October 17, 2023
Philadelphia came out to a thundering start. Both Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber took pitches 420 feet for single-shot homers in the first frame. Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen would allow another home-run to Nick Castellanos in the second. After giving up a pair of RBI singles, one in the third and another in the fifth, Gallen was pulled with his team down 5-0.
It seemed as though Philly would run away with Game 1 before a late Arizona resurgence. Philadelphia starter Zach Wheeler let up a two-run home run in the sixth. He finished out the inning and was subsequently pulled from the game. The Diamondbacks scored in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to put the Phillies in a save situation.
The Phils held on through the late innings and sent out closer Craig Kimbrel for the ninth. He slotted a strikeout and worked the other two outs cleanly for the win.
What’s Next
One run at a time. pic.twitter.com/z4bFVGD99J
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 17, 2023
Philadelphia finds itself in favorable position. It halted Arizona’s momentum, as the team had previously been undefeated in the postseason this year. Philly also has a chance to head to Arizona without letting a game up at home with a win in Game 2. Going undefeated in the home openers would give Philadelphia a chance to secure the pennant on the road with a sweep.
Game 2 is set for tonight. You can listen to the action right here at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN 98.1 FM/850 AM WRUF.
