The Texas Rangers have won the World Series for the first time in franchise history after pitcher Nathan Eovaldi produced six scoreless innings and the Arizona Diamondbacks collapsed late on in Game 5.
The Rangers headed to Chase Field with a 3-1 lead on Wednesday night, and an RBI single from Mitch Garver in the top of the seventh put them ahead, after Eovaldi’s impressive display on the mound.
Despite a raucous home crowd, the Diamondbacks could not level things up, and the team collapsed in the top of the ninth to allow the Rangers three straight hits, which resulted in two more runs, to put them in clear air.
Marcus Semien then silenced the arena with a two-run home run minutes later – his second of the postseason – to ensure it was a dominant series-sealing victory for the Rangers.
The 5-0 triumph on Wednesday night saw the Rangers reign victorious in the World Series for the first time in franchise history, and at their third time of asking after falling short in 2010 and 2011.
For manager Bruce Bochy though, it was a fourth World Series, after he led his team to its first showpiece in 12 years. He previously won with the San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012 and 2014.
More to follow.
Texas Rangers players celebrate wildly after sealing the first World Series trophy in franchise history on Wednesday night
Despite the game being scoreless through six innings, the Rangers eventually sealed a dominant 5-0 win at Chase Field
Marcus Semien roars with delight after hitting a two-run home run to make the score 5-0 in the top of the ninth inning
The players mob pitcher Josh Sborz after he got the final hitter out in the bottom of the ninth inning in Arizona
Semien (near) and Corey Seager – two of the Rangers’ most important players – hug after sealing the 4-1 series win
Mitch Garver celebrates at first base after his hit, which eventually led to the first run in Game 5 of the World Series
Nathan Eovaldi threw six scoreless innings for the Texas Rangers, to help them to a 5-0 win in Game 5 vs the Diamondbacks
Garver hits the all-important single in the seventh inning, which led the Rangers to victory – and a first ever World Series
Seager (bottom) celebrates with teammates after scoring a run in the seventh inning at Chase Field in Phoenix
NBA superstar Kevin Durant turned heads in the crowd as he turned up to watch Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday
It was a full house and a raucous crowd in Arizona but the Diamondbacks could not keep the World Series alive in Game 5
Eovaldi was very impressive on the mound as he helped his team to a maiden World Series triumph, in their third attempt
Former Major League Baseball player Ken Griffey Jr. continues his second career as a photographer at the World Series game
Chase Field was packed under the floodlights on Wednesday, but the D’Backs fell short of pulling a game back in the series