The Arizona Diamondbacks came into Game 5 of the World Series against the Texas Rangers in a must-win situation facing a 3-1 deficit. And a costly error from Diamondbacks star outfielder Alek Thomas sealed the game, and ultimately the series for the Rangers.
The Rangers went into the 9th inning with a 1-0 lead, which isn’t an insurmountable lead by any means.
However, they were threatening to score even more in the top half of the inning, with runners on first and second base with no outs.
Rangers catcher Jonah Heim then came to the plate and laced a single into center field, which looked like it was going to score one run.
However, it ended up being far worse for the Diamondbacks, as Alek Thomas proceeded to miss the ball while attempting to field it. The ball then rolled past him to the center field wall. The second runner would also score on the play, and Heim got all the way to third base.
Oh no, D-Backs. 😬
The Rangers — in search of their first #WorldSeries title — take a 3-0 lead in the 9th of Game 5! pic.twitter.com/M9zVXiZ86Z
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 2, 2023
Fans took notice of the play and proceeded to blast Thomas on social media for the costly error when it mattered most.
YIKES ALEK THOMAS pic.twitter.com/FhRLctogvD
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 2, 2023
The Diamondbacks are falling apart. Three straight hits by Texas to start the ninth inning — and the third goes under Alek Thomas' glove and rolls all the way to the wall allowing a pair to score.
The Rangers lead, 3-0. They are on the verge.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 2, 2023
THE BALL GOES UNDER ALEK THOMAS’ GLOVE AND THE RANGERS BREAK IT OPEN❗️
🎥 @MLBONFOX | #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/GTLt8cilj5
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 2, 2023
Oh no Alek Thomas. He’s been so phenomenal in center all season and now this is what he’s gonna be thinking about all offseason.
pic.twitter.com/cTOfxSmX6x— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) November 2, 2023
Nobody:
Alek Thomas: pic.twitter.com/KieeF6rbxd
— Gomer (@GomesDaLegend) November 2, 2023
Alek Thomas.. YIKES. pic.twitter.com/7PNGZPRbBR
— OddsStack (@OddsStack) November 2, 2023
Things would only get even worse for the Diamondbacks later in the inning, as Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien went on to bring in Jonah Heim with a two-run home run to extend the lead to 5-0.
MARCUS SEMIEN CRUSHES A 2-RUN HOMER TO MAKE IT 5-0 RANGERS IN THE 9TH! ⚾️💣pic.twitter.com/cpVFdPxTzd
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 2, 2023
This deficit would be too much for the Diamondbacks to overcome, as they would go on to win the game 5-0 to capture their first World Series championship.
THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY! ⚾️🏆👏pic.twitter.com/lOJoPcyomE
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 2, 2023
There is certainly plenty of blame to go around for Diamondbacks fans for this Game 5 loss.
Paul Sewald was the pitcher who put Thomas in the situation and went on to give up four runs in the ninth inning. The Diamondbacks offense was also completely shut down in the game.
That being said, things could have gone much differently if not for Thomas’s error. And Diamondbacks fans will certainly be blaming him for quite some time.
