2023 MLB Playoffs highlights: Astros dominate the Rangers; Diamondbacks walk off vs. Phillies
The 2023 MLB playoffs continued Thursday with Championship Series action in both leagues!
The action began with Game 3 of the NLCS between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. After dropping two road games to the Phillies, the Diamondbacks got a great start from rookie pitcher Brandon Pfaadt, who threw 5.2 scoreless innings. The Phillies' Ranger Suárez was also sensational, going 5.1 innings without surrendering a run.
The score was 1-1 in the ninth when Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte hit a walk-off single, driving in the winning run. Arizonan has narrowed Philadelphia's series lead to 2-1.
In the nightcap, Game 4 of the ALCS featured another installment of the Lone Star State rivalry between the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. After stealing Game 3, the Astros evened the series 2-2 with their second consecutive road win. The Astros jumped out to an early lead in the first, before the Rangers fought back to erase the early deficit. However, José Abreu eventually sealed the game with a massive three-run homer in the fourth. Chas McCormick also added a two-run home run of his own in the seventh, and the Astros never looked back as they continued to dominate the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
We've got you covered with all the action, from top plays to the best moments from the "MLB on FOX" crew.
Check out the highlights below!
Houston Astros 10, Texas Rangers 3
Astros jump to early lead!
Alex Bregman gave the Astros an early 2-0 lead with a bases-clearing triple to the right-center field gap.
Álvarez stays hot!
Yordan Álvarez stayed hot with a hard-hit single up the middle to score Bregman which extended the Astros early lead 3-0.
Heaney exits in the first
After surrendering three runs to the Astros in the first, Heaney was taken out of the game by manager Bruce Bochy.
Garcia lifts solo homer!
Adolis García lifted a no-doubter solo home run to left, which narrowed the Astros lead to 3-1 in the second inning.
Sacrifice fly
The Astros saw their lead dwindle as Josh Jung managed to hit a sacrifice fly to left in the second inning.
Tied ballgame!
Corey Seager erased the Astros lead with a game-tying opposite field solo homer in the third, which knotted the game at 3-3.
Astros regain the lead!
With the bases loaded, Alvarez was just a few feet short of hitting a grand slam. However, Alvarez's deep sacrifice fly was still sufficient to give the Astros a 4-3 lead.
Abreu leaves the yard!
Following Alvarez's sacrifice fly, José Abreu stepped up to the plate and launched a towering three-run homer that gave his team a 7-3 lead in the fourth.
Defensive gem!
Not only can Abreu swing the bat, but he can flash the leather as well. The Astros first baseman snagged a line drive from Seager and doubled off Marcus Semien after an overturned call upon further review.
Extending the lead!
The Astros continued to put the game out of reach for the Rangers, as Chas McCormick hit a two-run homer in the seventh, which further silenced the home crowd.
What a play!
Altuve showed off his range when he nabbed a ground ball with his backhand onto the outfield grass and threw a runner out at first with a jump throw off one foot.
Game of inches
Altuve nearly cleared the wall with a scorching line drive off the left-field fence. Altuve's hit was originally called a home run on the field but was then overruled as a double after review.
Tacking on another run!
The Astros scored their 10th run of the night in the eighth after Alvarez brought around Altuve to score on an RBI single to right field.
Astros win!
The Astros evened the series 2-2 with a dominant win over the Rangers. The series is now guaranteed to return to Houston as the Astros seek their third consecutive American League title.
Pregame
Legend in the building
Tom Verducci on Altuve's 100th career postseason game
Perfect scene at Globe Life Field
Ready for ALCS action!
Arizona Diamondbacks 2, Philadelphia Phillies 1
Dealing!
Pfaadt punched out Kyle Schwarber to collect his sixth strikeout of the day, while also leaving a Phillie runner stranded at second base in the third inning. Pfaadt became the second Diamondback pitcher in franchise history to record six or more strikeouts through the first three innings of a postseason start.
Stellar starts
The game was still tied 0-0 after six innings thanks to great performances from both teams' starting pitchers.
Phillies strike first!
Bryce Harper scored on a wild pitch with a head-first slide, as the Phillies finally broke through for the first run of the game in the seventh inning.
All tied up!
The Diamondbacks immediately responded with a run of their own, as Lourdes Gurriel Jr. laced an RBI double down the left-field line in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game 1-1.
Diamondbacks walk it off!
Ketel Marte smacked a walk-off single to center field to give the Diamondbacks their first win of the series!
Pregame
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