Oct. 25 (UPI) — Outfielder Corbin Carroll raked three hits and drove in two runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, stamping their World Series tickets.
Carroll went 3 for 4 and also scored twice in the 4-2 triumph Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Starter Brandon Pfaadt allowed four hits and two runs over four innings.
“They fought us hard all series,” Carroll, who also caught the final out of Game 7, told reporters. “To be able to put it away and run toward that dogpile. It was a hell of a feeling.”
The Diamondbacks, who were tied with the Miami Marlins as the teams with the worst regular-season records (84-78) to make the postseason, will meet the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday in Arlington, Texas.
Second baseman Ketel Marte went 1 for 5 in Tuesday’s win, extending his postseason hitting streak to 16 games. That streak is the longest ever for a player to start his postseason career. He claimed NLCS MVP honors for his efforts.
Catcher Gabriel Moreno, left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and shortstop Geraldo Perdomo recorded two hits apiece for the Diamondbacks. Phillies stars Kyle Schwarber (1 for 3), Trea Turner (0 for 4) and Bryce Harper (0 for 4) went a combined 1 for 11 with three strikeouts in the loss.
Phillies starter Ranger Suarez allowed six hits and three runs over 4 2/3 innings.
“We’ll be back,” Harper said. “We have a great owner. Our president and general manager are going to give us the best opportunity to win and be here every single year.”
Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker plated the game’s first run when he grounded out to third base in the top of the first. Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm smacked 401-foot solo homer to left center field in the bottom of the second to tie the score.
Second baseman Bryson Stott plated Bohm with an RBI double in the fourth to give the Phillies a slight edge, but the Diamondbacks answered with two runs in the fifth and didn’t look back.
Third baseman Emmanuel Rivera started the inning with a single. He moved to second on a Perdomo sacrifice bunt. Carroll followed with a single to center, scoring Rivera and tying the game.
Moreno hit a single to right in the next at-bat for the go-ahead run. Carroll brought in Perdomo for the final run of the night with an RBI sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh.
Diamondbacks relief pitchers Joe Mantiply, Ryan Thompson, Andrew Saalfrank, Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald combined to allow just one hit and no runs over the final five innings of the victory.
Game 1 of the World Series will air at 8:03 p.m. EDT Friday on Fox.
