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NLCS highlights: Phillies take Game 1 of series with Diamondbacks
The 2023 MLB playoffs continued on Monday, which marked the first day that both the ALCS and NLCS were in action.
The Phillies took a big first step in defending the NL pennant, beating the Diamondbacks 5-3 at home. Both teams upset division rivals in the NLDS, with the Phillies defeating the Braves and Diamondback sweeping the Dodgers.
Earlier, the Rangers' talented lineup jumped all over Astros starter Framber Valdez then hung on behind Nathan Eovaldi and their bullpen to win 5-4 despite two Yordan Álvarez home runs. The Rangers now have a 2-0 series lead over their in-state rivals as the series shifts north to Globe Life Field.
Here are the top plays!
Philadelphia Phillies 5, Arizona Diamondbacks 3
Phillies secure the win
The Phillies locked up Game 1 with a double-play to end the contest.
Cutting into the lead
The Diamondbacks are now within two runs of tying the game.
Perdomo pulls two back
Geraldo Perdomo has brought the Diamondbacks within three with a two-run home run in the sixth inning.
A birthday to remember
Harper is doing it all for the Phillies.
Castellanos continues hot streak
Nick Castellanos has five home runs in his last eight at-bats.
Harper makes it two
Bryce Harper, who turned 31 on Monday, doubled the Phillies' lead in the first inning with a home run.
Schwarber leads off!
Kyle Schwarber hit a lead-off home run to put the Phillies on top 1-0.
FINAL
Texas Rangers 5, Houston Astros 4 (Rangers lead series 2-0)
Big blunder
After back-to-back singles by Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to lead off the game, Semien came around to score when Framber Valdez's throw to first base on a short tapper from Robbie Grossman sailed wide. Adolis Garcia followed with an RBI single to give the Rangers two runs before an out was even recorded.
Hit parade continues!
A Mitch Garver RBI single gave the Rangers another run before Valdez finally recorded the game's first out, then Nathaniel Lowe slapped an opposite-field base hit to bring home another for Texas. The Rangers' four first-inning runs are the most Texas has scored in the opening frame of a playoff game in franchise history.
All in the shoes!
Garcia showed off his flashy kicks by ending up in a cartwheel after getting hit by a pitch, while Valdez worked around two baserunners to get for a scoreless second after changing his shoes between innings.
Familiar sight for Yordan!
Álvarez may still be struggling with an illness, but he still rakes off Eovaldi. The Astros' first run of the ALCS comes courtesy of a trademark no-doubt home run from their lefty slugger, his fifth in these playoffs. Álvarez is now 9-for-12 lifetime against Eovaldi.
Astros' Yordan Álvarez crushes a solo home run to trim the Rangers' early lead
Go ahead, Jung man!
This incredible sliding play and cross-diamond throw from Rangers rookie Josh Jung ended the second inning without any further damage from the Astros.
Jonah HIM
After an RBI single in Game 1, Jonah Heim followed with a no-doubter into the left field Crawford Boxes to increase the Rangers' lead to 5-1.
Valdez pulled after just 2.2 innings
A forgettable day for the playoff-tested Astros lefty, pulled by Dusty Baker before he could even make it through the third inning.
Bregman gets one back!
Alex Bregman's second home run of the 2023 playoffs clanged off the left-field foul pole to cut the Astros' deficit back to three.
Nathan's revenge!
After allowing a long home run to Álvarez in the second inning, Eovaldi responded by catching the Astros slugger looking on a backdoor breaking ball in their second matchup.
Still taking notes from dad
Michael Brantley singled to lead off the fifth inning for the Astros, perhaps thanks to some pregame tips from his hitting coach father.
Eovaldi escapes!
Houston's powerful bats seemed ready to roar back after loading the bases against Eovaldi in the bottom of the fifth. But "Nasty Nate" responded by striking out pinch-hitter Yainer Diaz and José Altuve, then getting Bregman to ground out without a run scoring.
Chipping away
A two-out double for Brantley scored Álvarez from first, narrowing the Rangers' lead to 5-3.
Eovaldi's day is done
The Rangers right-hander worked into and out of jams to provide a quality start for Texas, allowing just three runs and five hits over six innings while striking out nine.
Yordan AGAIN
Álvarez's second home run of the game was a line drive down the right-field line off an Aroldis Chapman slider. It's Álvarez's second multi-home run game of the postseason.
LeClerc gets out of it!
After coming on for Chapman, Rangers closer José LeClerc issued back-to-back walks but got Chas McCormick to ground out, ending the threat.
Just missed
2022 World Series MVP Jeremy Peña nearly had another great playoff moment, but his would-be game-tying home run died on the warning track.
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