PHILADELPHIA – Citizens Bank Park was on the verge of eruption. With every pitch the D-backs took to the mound, the sellout crowd cheered, hoping that this would be the pitching change that would wake up the Phillies’ hitters and send them into a frenzy.
However, the D-Backs bullpen had other plans.
Just as they have throughout the postseason, the five relievers showed a tremendous edge, each recording a zero to secure a 4-2 victory over the Phillies on Tuesday night.
“Coming into this environment and being up 4-2 — and we’ve done that several times over time, not just in the playoffs — you know you have a very capable bullpen,” Lovullo said . “So things were in place, and they started taking over from there.”
Mantiply, who was the D-Backs’ only All-Star representative last season, was the first man up. After giving up a leadoff double to Kyle Schwarber in the fifth, the left-hander settled in and had to retire Trea Turner and Bryce Harper for two quick outs.
With righty Alec Bohm facing two outs, Lovullo went to Thompson, who has been a hitter for the D-backs since making his team debut on August 27th. Thompson retired Bohm and three other batters in the sixth off just 10 pitches.
Thompson appeared in four of the seven NLCS games, three of which were scoreless games. Thompson, who began the season with the Rays, posted a 0.75 ERA in 12 appearances in September.
In the seventh, when the D-backs needed nine outs, Lovullo’s plan was relatively simple. Saalfrank would face the line of lefties that started with Brandon Marsh and ended with Harper. But the rookie left-hander struggled, walking two batters and forcing Lovullo to walk to Ginkel for five outs.
The reliable, power-throwing right-hander got Turner and Harper to fly out to end the threat.
“He threw me the pitch I wanted,” Harper said. “Yeah, I was winning 2-1 and he threw a heater at me and I… man, not coming through in that moment is devastating for me personally.”
Ginkel’s performance became even more dominant in the eighth when he shut out the team on 14 throws and let out a loud roar into his dugout.
In the ninth, Sewald retired the team in order, making him a perfect 6-for-6 in converting save opportunities this postseason. Sewald is now just one save shy of tying the longest streak of converted saves in a single postseason, held by six different substitutes.
“They started ripping off some really good stuff in mid-September and really started wearing us,” D-Backs general manager Mike Hazen said. “And at that point they were barely giving up a run.”
That continued into the postseason. Ginkel did not allow a run in all eight of his appearances in October. The same goes for Sewald, one of the best trade deadline acquisitions in franchise history. But even the veteran right-hander was surprised by the team’s quick turnaround.
Through August 2, the D-Backs’ bullpen ERA was 4.45, ranking 23rd in the MLB. Afterwards, the D-Backs significantly improved that clip with a 3.81 ERA, ranking 10th in the majors.
“Why would I have done that? They were the worst bullpen in baseball,” Sewald laughed when asked if that was what he envisioned from the bullpen when he was acquired from Seattle in August. “There is no reason to believe the bullpen could carry us into the postseason. … But everyone fit into their role and it was incredible.”
This bullpen makeover began when the D-backs acquired Sewald. While all the attention was on spectacular deals around the league like Justin Verlander, Jordan Montgomery and Max Scherzer, the D-backs sneakily made an equally big deal to get their closer.
The addition of Sewald allowed the younger relievers to settle into their roles. That opened the door for Thompson, who was designated for assignment by the Rays in August, to become an integral center fielder. Ginkel has been one of the hottest relievers in baseball for over a month. Saalfrank was called up as a left-wing assassin at the beginning of September.
“I think when they got to the point where Paul locked in the ninth spot, we filled it with Kevin, and at that time it was Kyle Nelson because Andrew Saalfrank wasn’t here yet, and then we picked up Thompson,” said Lovullo. “One by one they got into the right place, and as soon as they got their parts, they took off.”
All of these moves led the D-Backs to the World Series. And while not even Sewald could have imagined it, it was Arizona’s bullpen that led the way, and it might just be their greatest strength as they travel to Texas for a World Series date with the Rangers.
“It’s a good feeling knowing there’s going to be some zeroes in the later innings,” D-Backs designated hitter Evan Longoria said.