The China Mail - Diamondbacks edge Phillies 2-1 to tighten MLB playoff fight

Marte's third hit of the game delivered a walk-off victory that pulled Arizona within 2-1 of the Phillies in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series with games four and five at Phoenix on Friday and Saturday.

"I'm feeling great," Marte said. "That's what I'm trying to do every time, doing my best to help the team to get a win."

Defending champion Houston was set to face Texas later on Thursday with the host Rangers owning a 2-1 lead in the American League Championship Series.

The league champions meet in the World Series starting October 27.

The D-backs avoided falling to the brink of elimination, serving notice after two road losses they were not fading quietly.

"This is our house," Marte said. "We're not finished now. We've got a great team. We just have to believe in it."

Deadlocked 1-1 in the ninth, Arizona started with a walk by Lourdes Gurriel, who stole second base and took third on a Pavin Smith single.

Gurriel was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice by Emmanuel Rivera and Geraldo Perdomo walked to load the bases for Marte's magical moment, the 30-year-old Dominican second baseman dropping a line drive into centerfield off losing pitcher Craig Kimbrel.

"I was just sitting on fastball and he threw me a fastball first pitch," Marte said. "I know what kind of hitter I am and he threw me the fastball again and I got the hit."

Philadelphia opened the scoring in the seventh inning after Arizona's Andrew Saalfrank walked Bryce Harper and was replaced by D-backs relief pitcher Ryan Thompson.

Harper took second base on an infield hit by Alec Bohm, reached third when Bryson Stott grounded into a double play and raced home for the first run on a wild pitch by Thompson, an off-target slider.

The Diamondbacks answered with their first run in 17 innings in their half of the seventh when Tommy Pham singled and Gurriel drilled a run-scoring double down the left-field line.

A pitching duel dominated the early going as Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt went 5 2/3 scoreless innings, the American right-hander striking out a career-best nine Phillies while surrendering only two hits.

Philadelphia's Ranger Suarez, a Venezuelan left-hander, was masterful as well, striking out seven while scattering three hits over 5 1/3 shutout innings.

Marte doubled high off the left-field wall in the sixth inning and advanced to third base on a Corbin Carroll ground out, sending Suarez to the showers for reliever Jeff Hoffman.

Hoffman struck out D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno of Venezuela then got a ground out from Christian Walker to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.

V.Liu--ThChM