Corey Seager haunts Diamondbacks again in loss to the Rangers

In a rematch of the two teams in the 2023 World Series, the game followed a very familiar script for the Diamondbacks in a 4-2 loss to the Texas Rangers. A three-run home run from 2023 World Series MVP Corey Seager proved to be the difference, as it put the Rangers ahead for good.

“He’s a good hitter, he’s hot,” said Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo. “He just beat us, it’s what happens in this game sometimes.”

The home run put a blemish on a solid pitching night from Brandon Pfaadt. Like in Game 3 of the World Series, Pfaadt kept his team in the ball game but the offense could not overcome that critical home run from Seager. His quality start streak was snapped, despite allowing just four runs in seven innings with five strikeouts.

“It looked like he was getting the pitch he wanted to throw, executing it,” said Lovullo. “Outside of that one inning, where he got clipped for a three-run home run, I thought he did a great job.”

The Diamondbacks took the early lead in the second. Back-to-back doubles by Christian Walker and Pavin Smith plated the first run of the inning. Jake McCarthy singled to center, then stole second to put two runners in scoring position for Eugenio Suárez. Suárez hit a foul pop-up deep enough down the right field line to advance both runners and double Arizona’s lead. It could have been more, but McCarthy was thrown out at home by Seager on a ground ball from Gabriel Moreno.

The Rangers scratched a run off Pfaadt in the third. Travis Jankowski doubled with one out, then scored on a single by Josh Smith following an intentional walk to Seager. In the fifth, a couple of well-placed hits put runners on the corners for Texas’ top hitter. Pfaadt left a sweeper on the inner third of the plate to Seager, who crushed it to the right field bleachers for a go-ahead three-run home run. The young right-hander recovered from the big blow, bouncing back to retire the final eight batters he faced.

Arizona had a chance to counter in the sixth inning. Joc Pederson walked to lead off the frame, then singles by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and McCarthy loaded the bases for Suárez. Suárez lifted a fly ball to medium-deep right field, which Adolis García caught then threw a strike to home plate to nab Pederson. Initially called safe, replay showed that Pederson’s right foot never touched home plate on the slide and the tag on the left leg was in time.

“We know it’s a hot arm,” said Lovullo. “We talk about that, the players know it, the coaches know, we discuss that openly. It’s just we were trying to force that type of play. It took a very special throw and catch, and they executed. Any time there’s a bang-bang type of a play, we’re going to force them to make a play and it’s going to be that close at home plate, let’s take that chance. Unfortunately we got beat on that.”

That play ended up being a pivotal play, as Arizona did not get a baserunner on again until two outs in the ninth. Suárez drew a two-out walk and Moreno hit a chopper behind the mound to put the tying runs on base, but Kevin Newman struck out on a high fastball to end the threat.

The Diamondbacks will have a quick turnaround for the second game of the series. Right-hander Ryne Nelson (3-3, 6.03 ERA) will go for Arizona, while Dane Dunning (3-3, 4.43 ERA) will start for Texas. First pitch at Globe Life Field will be at 11:35 A.M. MST.