MLB 2023

[Ford2112]

What a game ! 

[KCCubano]

2 minutes ago, Ford2112 said:

What a game ! 

Great game. Saw Seager hit shot to tie it up but dozed off afterwards. Woke up at 3AM and saw highlights on SportsCenter.

[LLC]

I wish the games started an hour earlier. I am on eastern time and I must be getting old because I have a hard time staying awake until the end. Good thing I record them. I hope this is a long competitive series. 

[JohnS]

Game 1 - Texas Rangers lead 1-0

With Texas trailing by two runs in the bottom of the ninth, Corey Seager hit a game-tying two-run home run to send the game into extra innings.

Adolis García (pictured in 2019) hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh to win Game 1.

October 27, 2023 7:07 pm (CDT) at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas 73 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Arizona	0	0	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	8	0
Texas	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	6	9	0
WP: José Leclerc (1–0)   LP: Miguel Castro (0–1) Home runs: AZ: Tommy Pham (1) TEX: Corey Seager (1), Adolis García (1) Attendance: 42,472 Boxscore

Despite this being the Rangers' first World Series appearance at Globe Life Field, this is the second Fall Classic at the venue following the 2020 World Series, which was played exclusively at Globe Life due to the COVID-19 pandemic. R&B singer H.E.R. sang the national anthem. Former President of the United States and Rangers part-owner George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Hall of Fame Rangers catcher Iván Rodríguez. Nathan Eovaldi started on the mound for Texas, while Zac Gallen started for Arizona.

Evan Carter first put Texas on the board in the first inning with a double off the base of the right field wall to score Corey Seager. Adolis García scored Carter with a single, making it 2-0 Texas. In the top of the third, with runners on second and third, Corbin Carroll tripled, scoring both runners and tying the game. Ketel Marte scored Carroll on a fielder’s choice, giving Arizona a one-run lead. The Rangers loaded the bases in the bottom of the third, where Gallen walked Mitch Garver to tie the game at three. Gallen limited the damage as Jonah Heim flew out to end the inning. In the top of the fourth, Tommy Pham hit a solo home run, which gave Arizona a lead they would not give up until the bottom of the ninth. In the fifth, Marte added on a run for Arizona with a double that scored Geraldo Perdomo and took Eovaldi out of the game. In the bottom of the sixth, Gallen was replaced with Ryan Thompson. After Thompson walked Heim, Nathaniel Lowe hit a towering fly ball that was caught by Carroll on the warning track. If the ball had been hit out, it would have tied the game. Thompson was able to get out of the jam by striking out Leody Taveras. Arizona relievers Joe Mantiply and Kevin Ginkel kept the seventh and the eighth innings scoreless.

Will Smith retired the side in the top of the ninth, sending the game to the bottom of the ninth, where closer Paul Sewald was sent in to record the final three outs for Arizona. With Arizona still leading 5-3, Sewald gave up a leadoff walk to Taveras before striking out Marcus Semien. The next batter, Seager, hit a towering two-run home run to right field to tie the game at five. Sewald struck out Carter and Austin Hedges to send the game to extra innings. José Leclerc retired the side in the top of the tenth. The bottom of the tenth started well for Texas, with Kyle Nelson giving up a leadoff walk to Lowe. However, Josh Jung grounded into a double play. Nelson then walked Taveras and gave up a single to Semien, but got the hero of the ninth inning, Seager, to ground out, ending the inning. Leclerc once again retired the side in the top of the eleventh, giving Texas another chance to walk it off. After getting Carter to fly out in the bottom of the inning, Nelson was replaced with Miguel Castro, who was sent in to face García. On a 3-1 count, Garcia hit a home run to right field to win the game for Texas. This was the first Game 1 walk off home run in the world series since Kirk Gibson in the 1988 World Series. The home run was García’s sixth in five straight games. With the homer, García broke the postseason RBI record with 22, beating out David Freese's 21 RBIs in 2011.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Series

[TacoSauce]

11 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Will Smith retired the side in the top...

[JohnS]

4 minutes ago, TacoSauce said:

Will Smith retired the side in the top...

Heck, what if it was Will Smith, the current Los Angeles Dodgers catcher? So confusing! 🤪

[KCCubano]

Another close one but so far edge goes to Dbacks. Besides the HR by Garver the Rangers bats have been held in check. 

[Ford2112]

Dbacks ran away with game two holy smokes!

[Magnum Dongle]

Honestly it's hard to figure out which team is gonna take it all. Which is a sign of a great series. No team is automatic at home, with both teams having impressive road records for the post season. However the DBacks have Paul Sewald and his power has only grown stronger from that blown save. 

[JohnS]

Game 2 - Series tied 1-1

Arizona starter Merrill Kelly struck out nine batters in Game 2.

October 28, 2023 7:03 pm (CDT) at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas 74 °F (23 °C), Roof Closed

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			R	H	E
Arizona	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	3	2			9	16	0
Texas	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0			1	4	0
WP: Merrill Kelly (1–0)   LP: Jordan Montgomery (0–1) Home runs: AZ: Gabriel Moreno (1) TEX: Mitch Garver (1) Attendance: 42,500 Boxscore

The national anthem was sung by 18-year-old Pearle Peterson. Former Rangers third basemen Adrián Beltré threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Rangers Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins. Merrill Kelly started Game 2 for Arizona while Jordan Montgomery started for Texas.

Arizona opened the scoring in the fourth inning, when Gabriel Moreno hit a solo home run followed by a double by Tommy Pham and an RBI single by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Mitch Garver hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth to put the Rangers on the board at 2–1, thereby cutting their deficit to one run. Arizona added two insurance runs in the seventh inning when an RBI single by Evan Longoria scored Alek Thomas, and another RBI single by Corbin Carroll scored Longoria. With the bases loaded in the eighth inning, Ketel Marte hit a two-run RBI single, and then Carroll hit an RBI single to expand the lead to 7–1. With his hit, Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to 18 games, setting a Major League record. In the top of the ninth, Emmanuel Rivera hit a two-out two-run RBI single to score Jace Peterson and Gurriel Jr. to extend the Diamondbacks' lead to 9–1 before Rivera was out on a throw to second to end the inning. The Diamondbacks evened the series one game apiece as it shifts to Chase Field in Phoenix.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Series

[alloy]

The hits just went away. Guess the Rangers brought broomsticks for bats. Game 3 on Monday!

[JohnS]

Game 3 - Texas Rangers lead 2-1

After starter Max Scherzer was taken out of the game, reliever Jon Gray (pictured with the Colorado Rockies) pitched three shutout innings for Texas.

October 30, 2023 5:03 pm (MDT) at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona 78 °F (26 °C), Clear/Roof Open

														E
Texas	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0			3	5	0
Arizona	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0			1	6	0
WP: Jon Gray (1–0)   LP: Brandon Pfaadt (0–1) Sv: José Leclerc (1) Home runs: TEX: Corey Seager (2) Attendance: 48,517 Boxscore American Idol winner and Arizona native Jordin Sparks performed the national anthem before Game 3. Former Hall of Fame Diamondback pitcher Randy Johnson threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Diamondback outfielder Luis Gonzalez. Brandon Pfaadt was the Game 3 starter for Arizona while Max Scherzer started for Texas. Arizona threatened to score first in the second inning, but Christian Walker was thrown out at home plate by Adolis Garcia. In the third inning, Marcus Semien hit an RBI single for Texas, followed by a two-run home run by Corey Seager, giving the Rangers a 3–0 lead. Scherzer exited the game in the middle of the third inning with back tightness; Jon Gray entered in relief. Ketel Marte extended his post-season record hitting streak to 19 straight games with a single in the sixth inning. Gray exited the game after three innings, only giving up one hit and striking out three, preserving the Rangers lead. Emmanuel Rivera doubled to lead off the eighth inning and later put the Diamondbacks on the board with an RBI single by Geraldo Perdomo, cutting their deficit to 3–1. José Leclerc came in to pitch a scoreless ninth inning for the save, giving the Rangers a 2–1 series lead. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Series

[alloy]

Here's to hoping Adolis injury isn't serious.

[KCCubano]

Shame both Garcia and Scherzer done. Like to see both teams at full strength. 

[rckymtn22]

1 hour ago, KCCubano said:

Shame both Garcia and Scherzer done. Like to see both teams at full strength. 

Not making a difference tonight!

[KCCubano]

1 hour ago, rckymtn22 said:

Not making a difference tonight!

No it certainly is not. TX jumped out early. 

[Ford2112]

Arizona ended up scoring 7. This isn't over but it looks like Texas is having that magic.

[Capn_Jackson]

I’m a big Garcia fan, and was at that April game where he hit 3 homers. Love to see him doing great this post-season. Losing him is a gut punch. That said, I’m also a big Jankowski fan, and love to see him doing so well tonight. He’s faster than lightning on bases and in the field, has a cannon arm from outfield to home plate, and does not swing at junk. He stepped up tonight, but he wasn’t trying to replace Garcia… he was just doing what he can do himself. The moment was not too big for him, and he rose to the occasion. Looked like he’d been playing every game this post-season, and not sitting on the bench. He was phenomenal, and I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow night. Been a Rangers fan since I was a boy, watching old man Nolan shut down opposing batters. 2010-2011 were special memories I’ll never forget. This year, though, has been something else, and was so unexpected. Here’s hoping they jump on the D’Backs early again tomorrow night!!!

[JohnS]

Game 4 - Texas Rangers lead 3-1

In Game 4, Marcus Semien (pictured with the Oakland Athletics) had five RBIs, including a three-run home run.

October 31, 2023 5:03 pm (MDT) at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona 77 °F (25 °C), Clear/Roof Open

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9			R	H	E
Texas	0	5	5	0	0	0	0	1	0			11	11	0
Arizona	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	4	2			7	12	1
WP: Andrew Heaney (1–0)   LP: Joe Mantiply (0–1)  Home runs: TEX: Corey Seager (3), Marcus Semien (1), Jonah Heim (1) AZ: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1) Attendance: 48,388 Boxscore

The national anthem was performed by country music artist Mickey Guyton. Arizona State University alumnus and former Masters Champion Jon Rahm threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Andrew Heaney started Game 4 for Texas while Arizona started Joe Mantiply as an opener. Before the start of Game 4, the Rangers replaced Adolis García and Max Scherzer on their World Series roster following their respective injuries in Game 3 with infielder Ezequiel Durán and relief pitcher Brock Burke.

Josh Jung led off the second inning for Texas with a double. After he advanced to third base, he scored the first run of the game off of a wild pitch by Miguel Castro, who relived Mantiply. Leody Taveras drew a walk and Travis Jankowski hit a single, followed by a two-RBI triple by Marcus Semien. Kyle Nelson relieved Castro, and allowed a two-run home run to Corey Seager. Texas scored another five runs in the third inning after Jung and Nathaniel Lowe hit singles, Jonah Heim reached base on a fielder's choice to load the bases, Jankowski hit a two-RBI double, and Semien hit a three-run home run. Arizona scored their first run on a sacrifice fly by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the fourth inning. Heim's home run leading off the top of the eighth inning extended the Rangers lead to 11–1. In the bottom half of the eighth inning, Tommy Pham hit an RBI sacrifice fly for Arizona, scoring Corbin Carroll, and Gurriel hit a three-run home run to reduce their deficit to 11–5. In the ninth inning, Will Smith recorded two outs, but the Diamondbacks put two men on base. José Leclerc entered the game and gave up a two-run RBI single to Gabriel Moreno, but finished the game with a pop-up by Christian Walker. With the win, the Rangers put themselves one win away from their first-ever World Series championship. This also extended the Rangers' 2023 postseason road win streak to ten games.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Series

[Capn_Jackson]

My Rangers!!!!! Can’t believe it… finally happened!!

[Capn_Jackson]

Now…. Bring on 2024!!!

[MoeFOH]

1 minute ago, Capn_Jackson said:

My Rangers!!!!! Can’t believe it… finally happened!!

Congrats Capn! 

[Ford2112]

4 hours ago, Capn_Jackson said:

My Rangers!!!!! Can’t believe it… finally happened!!

It's a great feeling isn't it? In 2010 I went to the World Series parade. I'll never forget it. 

So my nephew picked Dbacks in 7. I picked Rangers in 5. He owes me lunch 😂

[JohnS]

Game 5 - Texas Rangers win the 2023 World Series 4-1

World Series MVP Corey Seager

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy

November 1, 2023 5:06 pm (MST) at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona 79 °F (26 °C), Clear/Roof Open

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Texas	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	4	5	9	0
Arizona	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
WP: Nathan Eovaldi (1–0)   LP: Zac Gallen (0–1)   Sv: Josh Sborz (1) Home runs: TEX: Marcus Semien (2) AZ: None Attendance: 48,511 Boxscore

The national anthem was performed by Dinah Jane. Tyler Moldovan, an officer in the Phoenix Police Department who was injured on duty, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Game 5 featured a pitching rematch of Game 1 between Zac Gallen for the Diamondbacks and Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers.

In a pitcher's duel, Gallen didn't allow a hit in six innings. Meanwhile, Arizona had a scoring opportunity with runners on second and third base in the third inning, but Eovaldi retired Tommy Pham on a groundout. The Diamondbacks loaded the bases in the fifth inning but again failed to score. The Rangers ended Gallen's no-hit bid in the seventh inning on Corey Seager's single in left field; Seager scored on an RBI single by Mitch Garver. In the top of the eighth, Kevin Ginkel escaped the one-out bases-loaded jam to end the Rangers threat of another scoring opportunity. A single by Jonah Heim in the ninth inning scored two more runs for Texas, and then Semien hit a two-run home run to expand the lead to 5–0. Josh Sborz recorded the final outs, with Ketel Marte striking out looking to conclude the season and his first save as the Rangers won the game and the first World Series championship in franchise history, ending a 63 year drought. Seager won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award. Manager Bruce Bochy won his fourth World Series championship, becoming the third manager ever to win World Series championships in both leagues, after Sparky Anderson and Tony LaRussa.

Composite line score

2023 World Series (4–1): Texas Rangers beat Arizona Diamondbacks.

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Arizona Diamondbacks	0	0	3	4	1	0	2	8	4	0	0	22	47	2
Texas Rangers	2	5	9	0	1	0	1	1	8	0	1	26	38	0
Home runs: AZ: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (1), Gabriel Moreno (1), Tommy Pham (1) TEX: Corey Seager (3), Adolis García (1), Mitch Garver (1), Marcus Semien (2), Jonah Heim (1) Total attendance: 230,388   Average attendance: 47,078 Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_World_Series

[JohnS]

Aesop, that ancient fable writer, taught us that it's not how you start, but how you finish that counts. Congratulations to the Texas Rangers for breaking their drought to win their first World Series Championship.

The 2023 off-season proved exciting for teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets and San Diego Padres but in the end the two teams left lost over 100 games each just two seasons ago. There's something in that, I say!

As for me (as a Mets fan), I'm going to let the hot stove stuff play itself out this year and I'll be raring to go during Spring Training in late February/early March. See you then. In the meantime, enjoy the NFL!