D-backs’ Bradley hits two-RBI triple to extend lead in NL Wild Card Game

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Ketel Marte hit two triples in Wednesday’s NL Wild Card Game, but those two triples paled in comparison to the third of the game.

Reliever Archie Bradley stepped up to the plate in a 6-5 game in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Rockies were coming on strong, scoring the last five runs of the game. Fans were nervy, sensing the momentum continuing to shift in Colorado’s favor as the possibility of closer Fernando Rodney — known for his blown saves — pitching in the ninth inning of a one-run playoff elimination game loomed.

The Rockies were coming on strong, scoring the last five runs of the game. Fans were nervy, sensing the momentum continuing to shift in Colorado’s favor as the possibility of closer Fernando Rodney — known for his blown saves — pitching in the ninth inning of a one-run playoff elimination game loomed.

Runners were on first and second with two outs, and with the reliever up, it was surely time to get ready for the eighth inning.

Instead, Bradley defied the odds, ripping the fifth pitch of the at-bat into left-center for a two-RBI triple.

It was Bradley’s first extra-base hit of his career, the first triple by a pitcher since Dontrelle Willis hit one in the 2003 NLDS and the fifth triple in MLB postseason history by a pitcher. It was also the first postseason triple by a relief pitcher.

Are you not entertained?!?

The NL #WildCard Game has it ALL. pic.twitter.com/1OLwKqFGaC

— MLB (@MLB) October 5, 2017

Most importantly, it gave Bradley and his team a three-run cushion, and they would need it.

Colorado’s Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story hit back-to-back home runs the following inning, neutralizing the two runs Bradley gave his team with the triple and having it back to a one-run game.

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