Rangers win! Seager, Garcia heroics power Texas to Game 1 World Series win over Diamondbacks

The Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks squared off in Game 1 of the World Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager launched a game-tying two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game to extra innings, and Adolis Garcia hit a walkoff homer in the 11th to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5 in Game 1 of the World Series.

The Texas Rangers jumped to an early lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks, but starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi faltered, and the offense couldn’t cash in on several opportunities.

Until the ninth, when Seager blasted one to the right-field seats off Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald.

Then, two innings later, Adolis Garcia launched an opposite-field solo homer off Miguel Castro to win the game in walkoff fashion. The home run also gave Garcia the all-time record for most runs batted in for a single postseason, with 22.

The Rangers, now up 1-0 in the best-of-seven series, will turn to lefty Jordan Montgomery as its starter in Game 2 on Saturday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Eovaldi lasted 4.2 innings and was roughed up for five earned runs on six hits, including a triple from Diamondbacks star rookie Corbin Carroll and a solo homer from veteran Tommy Pham.

Eovaldi had started the game with swing-and-miss stuff, and mowed through the Diamondbacks’ first six hitters. But Arizona hit Eovaldi hard on their second turn through the order, and the Texas offense, while it kept pressuring Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen, couldn’t keep pace until Seager’s homer.

And while the Rangers’ pitching struggled early, the bullpen held the Diamondbacks scoreless after the fifth inning.

Rangers closer Jose Leclerc was credited with the win after throwing two scoreless frames after Seager’s game-tying homer.

Here’s how the game unfolded:

Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, powered by an RBI double from rookie Evan Carter. 

Carter, who was the youngest player to start in the three-hole of a Game 1 World Series lineup since Mickey Mantle in 1952, then scored on an RBI single from Adolis Garcia.

But Arizona answered with a two-run triple from rookie Corbin Carroll in the third, scoring Alek Thomas and Evan Longoria.

Ketel Marte then grounded a pitch to Nathaniel Lowe at first base. Lowe tried to throw out Carroll, who broke for home. But the throw was just off the plate, and catcher Jonah Heim couldn’t get the tag on Carroll, who put the Diamondbacks ahead 3-2.

Texas tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Mitch Garver drew a bases loaded walk. But Heim flied out to centerfield to end the inning.

The Diamondbacks’ Tommy Pham homered in the fourth, and Marte doubled in the fifth to put Arizona up 5-3.

The Rangers had a chance in the sixth with runners on first and second, but Leody Taveras popped up to foul territory to end the inning.

Lefty Joe Mantiply retired the top of the Rangers’ lineup in order in the seventh. In the eighth, Garcia singled and Jonah Heim walked with one out, but Arizona reliever Kevin Ginkel retired the next two batters.

Jon Gray, a Texas starter who returned from injury in the American League Championship Series as a reliever, worked the late innings for the Rangers, and lefty Will Smith got the final two outs in the top of the ninth.

Leody Taveras drew a leadoff walk in the ninth. Semien struck out, but then Seager hit the biggest homer of his career: A two-run moonshot to tied the game at 5-5.

Texas got another run on base when Garcia was hit by a pitch, but the Diamondbacks walked Mitch Garver to get to backup catcher Austin Hedges, who struck out.

Rangers closer Jose Leclerc retired the Diamondbacks in order in the 10th and 11th, setting the stage for Garcia’s game-winner.

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