18 innings. 7 hours and 6 minutes. Was it worth playing the longest game in the MLB this season for one win? Probably not. But, nonetheless, a win is a win.
It all started at 7:06 P.M Philadelphia time. The leadoff hitter, Tony Campana, struck out to start the game. In other words, it was just like any other day of Diamondbacks’ baseball. However, with two outs and the bases empty, Paul Goldschmidt did what he does best: he walked for the 76th time this season. A homer, two walks, two singles, and three runs later, Philadelphia SP Ethan Martin was removed from the game. Soon, the D-Backs found themselves well in control headed to be bottom of the sixth, working on a 7-1 lead behind a pitcher who had one-hit the Phillies so far. However, after giving up two runs in the next two innings, Randall Delgado made things interesting. Then, Joe Thatcher and Heath Bell happened. In other words, they both surrendered two runs, tying the game 7-7. A scoreless ninth for both teams sent the D-Backs to their 19th extra-inning game of the year. But only then did things start to get really weird.
You see, the D-Backs and Phillies really like baseball. So, instead of playing just one boring old 9-inning game, they decided that they wanted to play two games in one game. In other words, they decided to play the longest MLB game of 2013. And, as radio color announcer Tom Candiotti put it, “If you’re going to play this long, you might as well win.” So, they did. Though, they certainly wouldn’t have done it had outfielders Casper Wells and John McDonald not come in to show off their mid-70’s “Knuckleballs” in the 18th. At last, the D-Backs prevailed 12-7, but sadly, it took two days. It all ended at 2:12 A.M.
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