If by now you don't believe in the magic of this baseball team there's probably no convincing you. Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy might not be real but there's no denying something extraordinary is going on with this 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks team.
On a day dedicated to honoring the heroics of the 2001 World Series team that came back on Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning to win it all, it was a member of that very team that came through with a game-tying home run off another great closer, Heath Bell and earned a game-winning RBI walk in the 10th inning.
Arizona was down 5-3 to the Padres going into the final frame. Starter Wade Miley gave up five runs and eight hits but to this team, it didn't matter. Chris Young, who is showing signs of life after an extended slump, lead off with a solo home run to make it 5-4. Lyle Overbay, who was honored along with his 2001 teammates before the game tied it with another blast to send it to extra innings.
The D-backs weren't able to seal the deal in the ninth but in the tenth, Justin Upton walked and then advanced to third on a single by Montero. An intentional walk to Blum brought up Chris Young with the bases loaded and one out. Young struck out which brought Lyle Overbay back to the plate with a chance to be the double hero. It wasn't quite as exciting as a big hit, but the RBI walkoff walk got it done.
Manager Kirk Gibson said that former team owner Jerry Colangelo pointed out the coincidence of Lyle Overbay being called up in September of 2001 and coming up as the hero in this game. And oh, by the way, Overbay had another RBI double earlier in the game giving him three on the night and three hits. Not bad for a guy who was released by the Pirates and sitting home doing nothing when the D-backs called.
"It was a really special night. It was awesome," Gibson said. "It was great to see all those guys. The ceremony was outstanding. I'd like to say the way we played tonight was very reflective of the way they played in 2001."
With the win, the D-backs hold a half-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers and are eight-and-a-half games up on the Giants in the NL West.
Are you are believer now?
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