Arizona Diamondbacks option 2023 postseason hero Alek Thomas, recall Blaze Alexander

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they optioned outfielder Alek Thomas to Triple A Rendo, calling up shortstop Blaze Alexander in a corresponding move.

Unless you completely blocked it out of your memory, Alek Thomas was a hero for the D-Backs in Game 4 of the NLCS against our Philadelphia Phillies and really, throughout Arizona’s World Series run.

Today's #Dbacks roster moves. pic.twitter.com/DCYzJo6eLK

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 14, 2024

If I have to relive it for the sake of writing this article, then you do as well.

The D-Backs took an early 2-0 lead in Game 4 of the NLCS before the Phillies stormed back in the fourth, ignited by a Kyle Schwarber home run in the fourth and a Brandon Marsh double in the sixth tied the game at 2-2. 

Alec Bohm then reached on an infield single to third that scored Kyle Schwarber in the top of the sixth. Trea Turner scored on a throwing error by third baseman Emmanuel Rivera. 

Just like that, the Phillies took a 4-2 lead in the game and even extended it to a 5-2 advantage on a sac fly from Trea Turner in seventh. 

Orion Kerkering walked in a run in the bottom of the seventh and from there, disaster struck as Craig Kimbrel took the mound in the bottom eighth inning. Kimbrel allowed a double to Gurriel Jr. before coughing up a pinch-hit two-run homer to Alek Thomas, allowing the D-Backs to tie the game 5-5. 

Alek Thomas Game Tying 2-Run Home Run: View Discretion Advised

ALEK THOMAS TIES IT! 😱 #NLCS pic.twitter.com/bucXC3XFMz

— MLB (@MLB) October 21, 2023

Brutal. Kimbrel was pulled from the game with two runners on base and Jose Alvarado allowed a single to Gabriel Moreno to give the D-Backs everything they needed with a series-tying, 6-5 Game 4 win in the NLCS. 

D-Backs storm back against Kimbrel, Phillies bullpen to win 6-5 in Game 4 of the NLCS, even the series 2-2 >>

Thomas couldn’t keep the fire burning this season in Arizona. In just under 100 at-bats, he posted a sub-Mendoza .191 batting average with a .610 OPS to go along with three home runs and 17 RBI – scarred by a brutal .150 average in August.

The 25-year old Blaze Alexander has posted a .253 batting average this season with a .676 OPS – with three homers and 21 RBI. 

The D-Backs are 9-1 over their last 10 games and just took 3 of 4 from the Phillies in Arizona. In the NL West, they trail the Los Angeles Dodgers (71-50) by 2.5 games – tied with the San Diego Padres for second place in the division. 

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