The Texas Rangers continued to make MLB postseason history away from home, winning Game 3 of the 2023 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks to take a 2-1 series lead and advance to an MLB-record 9-0 away from home in the playoffs.
The Rangers did all their damage on offense off D-backs pitcher Brandon Pfaadt in the third inning thanks to their prized free-agent infield of Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, getting an RBI single from Semien and a screaming two-run home run from Seager.
However, all is not well in Texas as the Rangers only got three innings from starter Max Scherzer, before he left with back tightness, and ALCS MVP Adolis García later left in the seventh inning with left side tightness.
But the Rangers’ bullpen proved heroic, as Jon Gray came through with three lights-out innings in relief of Scherzer and setup men Josh Sborz and Aroldis Chapman worked out of jams before closer José Leclerc slammed the door — though not without some controversy regarding a late called strike.
Check out the full highlights and all the top moments below from an impressive Rangers victory in Game 3!
Texas Rangers 3, Arizona Diamondbacks 1 (TEX leads series 2-1)
Scoreless start
After a 1-2-3 first inning for Pfaadt, Scherzer followed up with a scoreless frame of his own thanks to a slickly turned double play.
Rookie sensations
Evan Carter has joined a pretty impressive World Series fraternity.
Incredible defense!
Adolis García kept the game scoreless with a perfect throw to get Christian Walker at the plate on a Tommy Pham single, then Josh Jung made an incredible barehanded play at third base to get Scherzer out of the inning.
Rangers’ Adolis García throws out Christian Walker at home plate to prevent Diamondbacks from scoring
Semien snaps the slump!
After a rough first two games of the World Series for Marcus Semien, the Rangers star finally delivered with an RBI single in the top of the third inning for the game’s first run.
Seager, see you later!
Corey Seager, the other half of the Rangers’ half-billion-dollar infield launched the very next pitch over the right field fence to stretch the Rangers’ lead to 3-0. It’s the hardest home run hit in the World Series since 2015, and gives the Rangers a league-record 14 straight playoff games with a home run, per Major League Baseball.
Rangers’ Corey Seager CRUSHES a two-run homer to take a 3-0 lead over Diamondbacks
Scherzer’s start ends early
Jon Gray, the probable Game 4 starter, took over to begin the fourth inning as Scherzer exited with what the Rangers announced is back tightness.
Rangers’ Max Scherzer leaves the game in the fourth inning with back tightness
Post-start pep talk
Brandon Pfaadt got some encouragement from D-backs manager Torey Lovullo as he exited after a solid 5.1 inning, three-run performance.
INCREDIBLE streak continues
Ketel Marte has extended his MLB-record postseason hit streak to 19 games thanks to this sixth-inning line drive single off Marcus Semien’s glove.
Gray NAILS in relief
After being pressed into duty following Max Scherzer’s back injury, Jon Gray has responded with three impressive scoreless innings in relief to keep the Rangers off the board, including this strikeout of Corbin Carroll on his trademark fastball. He later spoke with FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
HUGE Josh Sborz strikeout to end the seventh
After allowing a double to Tommy Pham and getting a mound visit from the Rangers’ trainer, Sborz rebounded by striking out Alek Thomas to end the seventh-inning threat.
Baseball legends in the house for Game 3!
García leaves game with apparent injury.
Adolis García grabbed his side in pain after a seventh-inning flout and was removed from the game.
Snakes still alive…
Geraldo Perdomo’s RBI single off Aroldis Chapman got Arizona on the board in the eighth inning.
Aroldis, escape artist!
Chapman somehow got out of the jam versus two of the Diamondbacks’ best players by freezing Corbin Carroll for a strikeout and then getting Ketel Marte to ground into a double play that was massively turned by stars Seager and Semien.
Corey Seager dives for a double play that helps Rangers escape inning against Diamondbacks
What a play, Alek Thomas!
Mitch Garver nearly extended the Rangers’ lead, but the D-backs center fielder prevented that with a great catch.
Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas leaps and makes a spectacular grab to rob Mitch Garver of extra bases
Dubious strike call
Gabriel Moreno and most others in Chase Field thought he had a leadoff walk in the ninth, but the pitch was called a strike two instead despite seeming off the plate. Moreno later grounded out against José Leclerc to begin a 1-2-3 inning that sealed Arizona’s loss.
José Leclerc seals Rangers’ 3-1 victory over Diamondbacks with a game-ending strikeout
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