{"id":8680,"date":"2023-10-30T12:27:24","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T19:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=8680"},"modified":"2023-10-30T12:27:24","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T19:27:24","slug":"merrill-kelly-counterpunch-2023-world-series-game2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/10\/30\/merrill-kelly-counterpunch-2023-world-series-game2\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 World Series: Merrill Kelly Delivers All-time Great Counterpunch Performance in Game Two"},"content":{"rendered":"

2023 World Series: Merrill Kelly Delivers All-time Counterpunch in Game Two<\/h2>\n

ARLINGTON, Tex. (Oct. 28) \u2014 The Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> suffered a gut-punch of a loss in Game One<\/a> of the 2023 World Series against the Texas Rangers<\/a>, but there was a sense of calm over the team, given that Merrill Kelly<\/a><\/strong> was starting Game Two. Kelly, nicknamed \u201cMerrill the Mainstay,\u201d has been known to give the team much-needed wins following either a tough loss or a losing streak. He did so in Game Six of the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> after the Diamondbacks had lost Game Five at home to fall in a 3\u20132 hole. And he did so again in Game Two<\/a> of the World Series.<\/p>\n

Extra-Inning World Series Walk-off Homers<\/h3>\n

The Rangers won Game One with a walk-off home run by Adolis Garcia<\/a><\/strong> in the bottom of the 11th. That homer was the 10th extra-inning walk-off homer in World Series history. Here is the complete list.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/td>\nGm<\/strong><\/td>\nInn<\/strong><\/td>\nBatter<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam<\/strong><\/td>\nOpponent<\/strong><\/td>\nPitcher<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1954<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n10<\/td>\nDusty Rhodes<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nNew York Giants<\/td>\nCleveland Indians<\/td>\nBob Feller<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1957<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n10<\/td>\nEddie Mathews<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMilwaukee Braves<\/td>\nNew York Yankees<\/td>\nBob Grim<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1975<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n12<\/td>\nCarlton Fisk<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nBoston Red Sox<\/td>\nCincinnati Reds<\/td>\nPat Darcy<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1991<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n11<\/td>\nKirby Puckett<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nMinnesota Twins<\/td>\nAtlanta Braves<\/td>\nCharlie Leibrandt<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1999<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n10<\/td>\nChad Curtis<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nNew York Yankees<\/td>\nAtlanta Braves<\/td>\nMike Remlinger<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2001<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n10<\/td>\nDerek Jeter<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nNew York Yankees<\/td>\nArizona Diamondbacks<\/td>\nByung-Hyun Kim<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2003<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n12<\/td>\nAlex Gonzalez<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nFlorida Marlins<\/td>\nNew York Yankees<\/td>\nJeff Weaver<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2011<\/td>\n6<\/td>\n11<\/td>\nDavid Freese<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nSt Louis Cardinals<\/td>\nTexas Rangers<\/td>\nMark Lowe<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/td>\n3<\/td>\n18<\/td>\nMax Muncy<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\nLos Angeles Dodgers<\/td>\nBoston Red Sox<\/td>\nNathan Eovaldi<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n11<\/td>\nAdolis Garcia<\/td>\nTexas Rangers<\/td>\nArizona Diamondbacks<\/td>\nMiguel Castro<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kelly certainly faced a tall order when he took the mound Saturday evening for Game Two. Only two of the previous nine teams to lose in that fashion won the next game \u2014 the \u201975 Reds and the \u201918 Red Sox. But Kelly rose to the occasion, allowing one run on three hits, walking none and striking out nine across seven innings. His lone blemish on the scoreboard came on a solo home run by Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver<\/a><\/strong>. It was the best performance in World Series history by a starting pitcher whose team lost on a walk-off extra-inning home run in the previous game.<\/p>\n

Teams That Won on \u201cThe Day After\u201d<\/h3>\n

Don Gullett<\/a><\/strong> started Game Seven of the 1975 World Series for the Cincinnati Reds<\/a>. He tossed four innings, allowing three runs on four hits while walking five and striking out five. The Reds ultimately won, 4\u20133, but it was in spite of Gullett, who trailed 3\u20130 when he left the game.<\/p>\n

Eduardo Rodriguez<\/a><\/strong> started Game Four of the 2018 World Series for the Boston Red Sox<\/a>. He started well, tossing five scoreless innings initially. But he plunked the leadoff man in the sixth, and it all fell apart from there. Rodriguez only managed to record two outs in the sixth, leaving after surrendering a three-run homer to Yasiel Puig<\/a><\/strong>. His line was four runs on four hits with two walks, a hit batter, and six strikeouts. The Red Sox ultimately won the game, but that was due to a Dodger bullpen collapse, not due to a strong start from Rodriguez.<\/p>\n

Other Starts on \u201cThe Day After\u201d<\/h3>\n

What about pitchers in the other seven games? There were some who did well. Whitey Ford<\/a><\/strong> started Game Five of the 1957 Series for the Yankees, allowing one run on six hits while walking one and fanning two in seven innings. But he and the Yankees lost, 1\u20130, since Braves starter Lew Burdette<\/a><\/strong> threw a complete-game shutout.<\/p>\n

John Smoltz<\/a><\/strong> of the Braves pitched into the eighth during Game Seven against the Twins in 1991, allowing no runs on six hits while walking one, hitting one, and striking out four across 7 1\/3 innings. But he left the game with runners on the corners and one out. Reliever Mike Stanton<\/a><\/strong> got out of the jam after an intentional walk and a fortuitous line-drive double play.<\/p>\n

Miguel Batista<\/a><\/strong> of the Diamondbacks started Game Five in 2001 against the Yankees. He lasted 7 2\/3 innings, allowing no runs on five hits and striking out six. But he walked five.<\/p>\n

Merrill Kelly Made History<\/h3>\n

Using the Game Score<\/a> (GmSc) stat developed by Bill James, we can quantify these starts to see which was most dominant. Here is the list, presented in a handy table.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Year<\/strong><\/td>\nGm<\/strong><\/td>\nPitcher<\/strong><\/td>\nTeam<\/strong><\/td>\nOpponent<\/strong><\/td>\nGmSc<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2023<\/td>\n2<\/td>\nMerrill Kelly<\/td>\nArizona Diamondbacks<\/td>\nTexas Rangers<\/td>\n76<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2001<\/td>\n5<\/td>\nMiguel Batista<\/td>\nArizona Diamondbacks<\/td>\nNew York Yankees<\/td>\n70<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1991<\/td>\n7<\/td>\nJohn Smoltz<\/td>\nAtlanta Braves<\/a><\/td>\nMinnesota Twins<\/a><\/td>\n69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1957<\/td>\n5<\/td>\nWhitey Ford<\/td>\nNew York Yankees<\/a><\/td>\nMilwaukee Braves<\/td>\n62<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2018<\/td>\n4<\/td>\nEduardo Rodriguez<\/td>\nBoston Red Sox<\/td>\nLos Angeles Dodgers<\/a><\/td>\n49<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1975<\/td>\n7<\/td>\nDon Gullett<\/td>\nCincinnati Reds<\/td>\nBoston Red Sox<\/td>\n42<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Although three pitchers on this list pitched for the team that won said game, only one pitcher was credited with the win \u2014 Kelly.<\/p>\n

What Made Merrill Kelly Effective<\/h3>\n

So what made Kelly so effective Saturday night? Rangers left fielder Evan Carter<\/a><\/strong> attributed it to pitch execution. \u201cNo matter who you are as a pitcher,\u201d he said, \u201cif you\u2019re executing your pitch, you\u2019re going to be good that night. He was doing a really good job executing what he wanted to do \u2014 living on the edges.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien<\/a><\/strong> agreed. \u201cHe just stayed out of the middle,\u201d Semien concurred. \u201cHe\u2019s a guy who can do a lot of things with the baseball \u2014 cut it, sink it, change up. His fastball is good. You have to respect it. We try our best to get good pitches to hit, (but) he didn\u2019t give us any. He had a good night.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks reliever Ryan Thompson<\/a><\/strong> added, \u201cMerrill\u2019s ability to control the strike zone was unmatched. He was able to throw all of his pitches for strikes, where he wanted. That\u2019s the difference between control and command. He had elite command today.\u201d Rangers manager Bruce Bochy<\/a><\/strong> also mentioned his \u201cgreat command.\u201d<\/p>\n

Right-hander Zac Gallen<\/a><\/strong>, who started Game One for the Diamondbacks, mentioned Kelly\u2019s plan going into the game. \u201c(Merrill) was able to very intentional with his plan,\u201d Gallen explained. \u201cHe was able to stay one, maybe two steps ahead of their lineup and sequence really well. From that sequence, he was able to execute really well at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks Had No Doubt<\/h3>\n

Kelly faced a lineup loaded with talent and completely shut them down. Some looked discouraged postgame. But this is something Kelly has done more than once this postseason. Manager Torey Lovullo<\/a><\/strong> said Kelly has \u201creally stepped on it\u201d this postseason, which isn\u2019t surprising to him. \u201cThat\u2019s who he is at his core,\u201d Lovullo said in his postgame press conference. \u201cHe wants the biggest moment, the biggest stage, to show what he\u2019s capable of doing. This was a big win. You\u2019re talking about a team that got beat last night after being two outs away from a win.\u201d<\/p>\n

It would have been easy to worry about momentum going the Rangers\u2019 way, but the Diamondbacks were not worried. \u201cEveryone had faith,\u201d Gallen said. \u201cIt was like, \u2018Yeah, last night was a heartbreaker, but we have Merrill going tomorrow. We\u2019ll be alright.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Their faith was well-placed. Now the series is tied, and the Diamondbacks have stolen home field advantage heading into Game Three.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/h4>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>