The Texas Rangers continued their road winning streak and took a 2-1 series lead with a 3-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the 2023 World Series in Phoenix on Monday night.
Texas pitching held Arizona scoreless for seven innings, and the offense capitalized on a critical opportunity in the third inning to score three runs.
After throwing out Arizona’s Christian Walker at home plate as he attempted to score the game’s first run from second base on a base hit in the bottom of the second inning, the Rangers quickly responded to build a 3-0 lead in the third.
Nathaniel Lowe led off the inning with his first hit of the series — a double to center field — and came round to score on an RBI single from second baseman Marcus Semien with two outs. Shortstop Corey Seager followed with a two-run home run, his second of the series.
Max Scherzer started the game for the Rangers and allowed two hits over three innings before being removed from the game due to injury. Fellow starter Jon Gray entered the game in the fourth and retired the first eight batters he faced while keeping the Diamondbacks off the board.
Aroldis Chapman entered the game from the bullpen in the eighth and was immediately met with aggressive swings from the Arizona hitters. Pinch-hitter Emmanuel Rivera smacked a double into the right-field corner and scored as shortstop Geraldo Perdomo delivered an RBI single to get Arizona on the scoreboard with no outs in the inning.
Chapman recovered to strike out Corbin Carroll looking at a slider and induced a double-play from Ketel Marte to work out of trouble unscathed.
Closer Jose Leclerc pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to seal the win.
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WHAT TO KNOW
— The Texas Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the 2023 World Series to take a 2-1 series lead. Texas is two wins away from its first-ever title.
— The Rangers set an MLB record with their ninth consecutive road win in the postseason.
— Scherzer was pulled from the game in the fourth inning due to back tightness. Outfielder Adolis Garcia also left the game with side tightness in the eighth.
— Seager has hit the most career home runs in a World Series by a shortstop.
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BY THE NUMBERS
— Gray has pitched four-and-two-thirds innings this postseason and allowed two hits with seven strikeouts.
— The Rangers are now 9-0 when scoring first in the playoffs.
— Scherzer remains 1-0 in three career World Series starts.
— Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt, who made his MLB debut and allowed four home runs against the Rangers in May, pitched five-and-a-third innings and allowed three earned runs.
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NEXT UP
— The Rangers and Diamondbacks return to the field for Game 4 at 7:03 p.m. CT in Phoenix on Tuesday.
