Diamondbacks ride hot start, Merrill Kelly gem into Game 7 - ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — An improbable postseason ride will continue for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who forced Game 7 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday after beating the Philadelphia Phillies 5-1 in Game 6 on Monday.

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly was fantastic, setting the tone for the visitors as he gave up just one run over five innings. In the process, he helped quiet the usually raucous Philadelphia crowd.

«I think that's the first time they sat for a playoff game,» closer Paul Sewald observed after the game. «It's just a testament to how we got this game started.»

After Kelly left two stranded in the first inning — no small task against the Phillies in this series — the Diamondbacks tallied three runs in the top of the second. Struggling designated hitter Tommy Pham got the ball rolling as he hit a solo shot off Phillies starter Aaron Nola just a couple of days after being benched in Game 5. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. did the same moments later.

«I'm already pretty self-motivated but that kind of helped,» Pham said of the benching. «It felt tremendous.»

Arizona added another run that inning on an Evan Longoria RBI double as Nola lost any feel he had to start the game.

«It was a little strange because first thing he comes out and he really executed everything,» Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.

Nola lasted only 4⅓ innings while giving up four runs on six hits and two walks. His counterpart went only five innings and was stunned when manager Torey Lovullo pulled him after he struck out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper on nasty curveballs, part of an easy 1-2-3 inning.

Kelly used his complete array of pitches during his 5-inning gem. Fastballs up, sinkers away, curves and sliders down. The Phillies just couldn't