D-backs Offense Comes Alive in Game 2 in the World Series

The Diamondbacks finished Game 1 of the World Series going 1-for-18 as the Rangers came back late to walk off the Diamondbacks. For most teams, it could be the type of loss that could completely unravel a team. However the D-backs once again proved that they are a resilient, adaptable, and connected team after that heartbreaking a loss.

In Game 2, they made sure no such comeback was going to happen. Arizona recorded 16 hits, the most ever by a team in the postseason and the third highest total in franchise history behind the 22 hits in Game 6 of the 2001 World Series and 17 in the 2017 Wild Card Game.

Even though they weren't getting them home early, the constant pressure this lineup was putting on Texas pitchers finally caused them to crack late in the game. From the seventh inning onward, the D-backs recorded nine hits to turn a 2-1 pitchers duel into a 9-1 blowout victory against the Rangers bullpen.

Every batter in the starting lineup recorded a hit tonight, with designated hitter Tommy Pham's 4-for-4 day pacing the team. Manager Torey Lovullo spoke about the impact that Pham has provided the D-backs since they traded for him at the deadline.

"He goes out there and bangs out four base hits today and has a really good approach. But I think the thing he added was some toughness, some focus. And his ability to prepare became very contagious. There's no nonsense about his workday. He's a great teammate. He's an unbelievable teammate. And I know we got better because of all the things that he brings to the table that don't get seen in a box score. It's nice to get those four hits today. Of course, it set a great tone for us. But he's a very intense competitor with zero room for nonsense. And I think that personifies who we are when we get between the white lines at 7:05 every night."

Pham reached on a swinging bunt his first time up, so he altered his approach to go the opposite way. That yielded positive results with three line drive hits to center and right.

"[Jordan] Montgomery was throwing a really good sinker and change-up today. And I knew after my first at-bat, my approach wasn't going to work against him today. So I kind of had to go to plan B and work the right side to stay on that heavy sinker and that change-up. And it worked."

Corbin Carroll, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Alek Thomas also recorded multi-hit games. Thomas was a recent addition to the lineup, as they had been platooning him with third baseman Emmanuel Rivera in the postseason. Wanting to put his best outfield defense on the field, and the D-backs center fielder swinging a hot bat of late, the decision paid off tonight.

Ketel Marte also added a key hit in the 8th inning to break this game open, extending his postseason hitting streak to 18 games. That is now the longest hitting streak in MLB postseason history, breaking a tie with Hank Bauer, Manny Ramirez, and Derek Jeter. As he etches his name into the history books with his incredible postseason, Marte has risen to stardom for the D-backs.

Watch all the offensive highlights down below!

#Diamondbacks Score 9 Runs, play great defense in #WorldSeries Game 2 Win to even up the serieshttps://t.co/LO6JzH6MR3 #MLBFilmRoom via @MLB
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) October 29, 2023

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