Carroll's Big Game Sends Diamondbacks to World Series

Carroll, who struggled for much of the NLCS, played a big role in the Diamondbacks Game 7 win over the Phillies.

It was only a matter of time before Corbin Carroll was going to make his impact in this National League Championship Series. After going 3-for-26 with no steals in the first six games, the D-backs star rookie had a game to remember in Game 7. Carroll singled three times, stole two bases, and played a huge part in scoring all four of the D-backs' runs in this game. 

His big moment of the night came in the 5th inning. Trailing 2-1, he singled up the middle to score Geraldo Perdomo to tie the game at 2-2, then scored the go-ahead run on a Gabriel Moreno single one batter later. That gave the D-backs a lead they would not relinquish, as they defeated the Phillies 4-2 to win their first National League pennant since 2001.

This win would not have been possible without the gutsy effort of another rookie, Brandon Pfaadt. Tasked with facing the Phillies lineup, Pfaadt held his own in Game 7. The rookie right-hander allowed just two runs over four innings, striking out 7 and inducing a career-best 16 swings and misses. He got clipped for a solo home run by Alec Bohm on the first pitch of the 2nd inning and Bryson Stott doubled home a run in the 4th. The Phillies loaded the bases later that inning, but Pfaadt struck out Johan Rojas on a sweeper to strand them. That would prove to be huge, as the D-backs retook the lead the following inning.

The bullpen was handed a 3-2 lead and made it stand. Joe Mantiply was the first to come in, retiring two of three hitters before handing the ball to Ryan Thompson. Thompson retired his four batters faced to get through the 6th. Andrew Saalfrank, who was tasked with getting some key left-handed hitters out tonight, struck out Brandon Marsh then walked two straight. That gave Philadelphia their best chance to get their way back into the game since the 4th.

Sensing the Phillies putting up some offensive momentum against a pitcher struggling to throw strikes, manager Torey Lovullo turned to relief ace Kevin Ginkel to shut them down. Once again this postseason, Ginkel rose to the occasion by retiring five straight hitters with the last three going down on strikes. Paul Sewald, who the D-backs traded for to close this type of ball game, delivered by retiring the bottom third of the Phillies order. Perhaps in a fitting cap for the game, the final out was recorded by Carroll.

The D-backs will play the Texas Rangers in the 2023 World Series. Game 1 will be at Globe Life Field. Stay tuned for more clubhouse reaction, the series MVP announcement, and World Series coverage.