While the Arizona Diamondbacks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in Game 4 of the NLCS, the Philadelphia Phillies took the game over in the middle innings. And with a 5-3 lead heading into the eighth inning, it looked like the Phillies would take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
But the Diamondbacks had other ideas.
Craig Kimbrel took the mound for Philadelphia in the bottom of the eighth inning. He surrendered a lead-off double to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., then retired Evan Longoria. That brought Alek Thomas to the plate. The 23-year-old Thomas worked a full count against the veteran Kimbrel, then drove a 3-2 pitch over the right-center field wall and into the Chase Field pool for a game-tying two-run homer.
Alek Thomas drills a two-run homer off of Phillies reliever Craig Kimbrel to tie Game 4 of the NLCS up for the Diamondbacks. pic.twitter.com/mrHTH5SCQS
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 21, 2023
Kimbrel seemed to bounce back OK with a strikeout of Geraldo Perdomo. But Arizona staged a two-out rally of sorts, with Ketel Marte singling and Corbin Carroll getting hit by a pitch. That brought Gabriel Moreno to the plate for a showdown with José Alvarado, who replaced Kimbrel.
Moreno got his bat on a 3-1 fastball from Alvarado and hit the ball to center field, where it fell in front of Johan Rohas. Marte scored from second on the single to put Arizona ahead 6-5.
Gabriel Moreno's RBI single against Jose Alvarado gives Arizona the lead again.
Through 8: Diamondbacks 6, Phillies 5 pic.twitter.com/PFhD00Bmb8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 21, 2023
That was all the Diamondbacks would need. The Phillies tried to stage a two-out rally of their own in the top of the ninth inning when Kyle Schwarber doubled. But Arizona’s Paul Sewald closed the door, striking Trea Turner out to end the game and bring the series to a 2-2 tie.
Paul Sewald gets Trea Turner swinging to lock up a 6-5 win for the Diamondbacks in this instant classic.
The Phillies and D-Backs are now tied 2-2 in the NLCS and have a best-of-three to determine who goes to the World Series. pic.twitter.com/7cmMzVAxG0
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 21, 2023
Much like the ALCS Game 5 that came before it, there was little doubt that Game 4 was an instant classic. What people thought of the instant classic, though, was significantly more divided.
FINAL: Diamondbacks 6, Phillies 5
Arizona doesn't match up to Philadelphia in talent, pedigree or experience.
That doesn't make a damn bit of difference in October. Two straight days, the Diamondbacks beat the Phillies' bullpen. And suddenly the NLCS is tied at two games each.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 21, 2023
Honest question –
When is the last time two games of this high-intensity were played on the same night?!
This was one of the best nights of baseball I can remember…
— Brian Frye (@bfrye21) October 21, 2023
Yeah, this one wasn't pretty.
The Phillies Postgame Live crew is sounding off about the pitching decisions made in Game 4 of the NLCS. pic.twitter.com/EnE0xx9xmk
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) October 21, 2023
These MLB playoffs went from snoozefest blowouts to unreal drama with the flip of a switch. Good stuff these last few days. https://t.co/Y4bn8RVL3t
— It's Katz (@PodKatz) October 21, 2023
They were up 5-2 in Game 4 with a chance to go up 3-1
LOL pic.twitter.com/CQk0HlW0Ra
— Life of a Philly Fan (@PhillyFanLife) October 21, 2023
Game 5 will be played on Saturday. The winner will head back to Philadelphia for Game 6 and if necessary, Game 7, needing only one victory to lock up a spot in the World Series.
