Diamondbacks fan updates on Dodgers game: 'It's been a long time coming'

The Diamondbacks torched the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the playoff series with a super hot third inning that yielded four Arizona homeruns, eventually giving the team the win 4-2.

Wednesday evening's game was the first chance the team's fans have had to cheer in person at Chase Field after the team surprised America by eliminating the Milwaukee Brewers from the playoffs and taking a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second playoff round.

Here's a recap of the scene in downtown Phoenix:

Arizona baseball fans show up to support Diamondbacks

Trevor Lakes and girlfriend Shawna Dewitt from Queen Creek showed their support for the Diamondbacks for Game 3 on Wednesday in Phoenix.

"The Diamondbacks have been killing it this season, so we're really excited to see what's going to happen tonight," Lakes said. While not initially a Diamondbacks fan when they first met, Trevor was able to get Shawna's support for the team.

"I've been a Diamondbacks fan all my life, so it was really important that I got (Shawna) on board!" Lakes said. He went on to say his favorite player of all time is Luis Gonzalez, but he has been impressed with pitcher Zac Gallen.

"It's just great to be able to come here and root for our team," Dewitt said. This was their third game together.

Friends Daniel Romero and Jordan Neal had opposing views — Neal, originally from Los Angeles, is a Dodgers fan, whereas Romero, an Arizona resident, was rooting for the Diamondbacks.

"There's no justifying the backstabbing," Romero joked. "The Diamondbacks are going to win, there's no doubt about it."

The two have been to Diamondback games before together, although Romero said he would attend with his family growing up. Neal played baseball growing up and has been a lifelong Dodgers fan; his favorite current player on the team is outfielder Mookie Betts.

"If the Dodgers can step up, it'll be amazing. And they know that they need to," Neal said.

— Coleby Phillips

Phoenix native excited about team's chances, says 'shocking if they sweep'

Kathy Froggy, a Phoenix native, has been a Diamondbacks fan since they started playing. She was there, in person, when the team played the World Series in 2001. She said she was excited that the team has a chance to win it all again.“It would be shocking if they sweep, but I think it could happen.”

— Eshaan Sarup

Scoreboard error gives Marte a strikeout

An unusual moment happened in Game 3 in the bottom of the fifth inning of the National League Division Series, the main scoreboard showed an error in Ketel Marte's player's stats.

The scoreboard showed second baseman Marte as 1 for 2 so far, with a single and a strikeout in the third inning.

But that strikeout was really a homerun blast during his second trip to the batter's box — one of four homeruns by the Diamondbacks in that inning.

— Kathy Tulumello and Michelle Cruz

'It's been a long time coming'

Husband and wife Tracy and Cindy Brisbane, along with their friend Kim Cox, are all Diamondbacks fans. Tracy and Cindy are Arizona residents whereas Kim, who lives in Lakewood, California, came out to the Valley to watch the game with his friends.

The Brisbanes have been season pass holders and fans of the Diamondbacks for the last 15 years. When asked about the potential win for the Diamondbacks, Tracy said, "It's been a long time coming. It's phenomenal watching these kids out there beating the other teams."

When asked who is favorite current Diamondbacks player is, Tracy said, "You've got to go with Corbin [Carroll, outfielder]. I know he's a rook, but he's phenomenal." Cindy's favorite player is infielder Ketel Marte. Tracy also said he has a brother who played for the Los Angeles Angels.

Los Angeles resident and Dodgers fan Jaime Franco attended Game 3 at Chase Field with his wife and two children. However, despite his apparel, he was rooting for the Diamondbacks. "The Dodgers haven't lived up to what they can do, so I'm going for the Diamondbacks for now," Franco said.

Franco said he and his family have been attending one to two Diamondbacks games a season for the last 15 years.

— Coleby Phillips

'The Diamondbacks are building something'

Mo and Dena Pacheco, a married couple from Tucson and Arizona natives, have been Diamondback fans since 1998. They're in Phoenix to enjoy the weather and have a good time, having attended several Diamondbacks games in the past.

When asked about her hopes for the team, Dena said, "[The Diamondbacks] deserve the win. They have been working hard. And if they can get there, it'll be awesome." The couple's favorite current player on the roster is pitcher Zac Gallen.

Rene Sanchez is a Los Angeles Dodgers fan from Mesa, but he holds a lot of respect for the Diamondbacks.

"The Diamondbacks are building something. They have a good team and we'll see if they can hold on to these guys that are making something happen," Sanchez said.

When asked how he felt about the Diamondbacks, Sanchez said, "I don't hate any team. I'm a Dodgers fan first and a baseball fan second. But the Diamondbacks have a good thing going and hopefully they can keep it going. It's a good franchise and it's good for the city."

Sanchez said he is a lifelong Dodgers fan, but he has attended Diamondbacks games since the stadium opened.

— Coleby Phillips

Diamondbacks fans calling for 'sweep'

Edna Moreno, of Phoenix, has been a Diamondbacks fan since they started as a ball club and a season ticket holder since 2005. Moreno is with her sister Edith Megui at Chase Field for Game 3 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They both donned purple pinstripe Diamondbacks jerseys and purple hair to support Guerrero.

“I’m really looking forward to a clean sweep!” Moreno told The Republic.

Meanwhile, John Lauritano, Jacquie Traughber and Derrick Zell, three friends from the Phoenix area and lifelong Diamondbacks fans, sat at Crown public house downtown before the game and were high-fiving fellow fans and booing those for the other team.

Zell said he can’t wait for his team to “sweep LA like it’s nothing!”

— Eshaan Sarup

Baseball fans to hit traffic in downtown Phoenix

With the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the L.A. Dodgers starting at 6:07 p.m., spectators should expect to bear with rush-hour traffic.

Some tips to ease through on your way to the game:

There was a possibility southbound traffic on Third Street may be routed west at Washington Street. If so, the Diamondback organization was advising drivers to continue west on Washington, turn left on First Avenue and continue south or head east on Jefferson Street to access parking.

DBacks fans should make it early to the game to expedite what will surely be long lines getting into Chase Field.

To avoid traffic jams, fans were encouraged to hop on the Valley Metro Rail to get to Chase Field. Trains run every 15-20 minutes, and fare can be purchased with cash, credit or debt.

— Jose Gonzalez

What is Chase Field's bag policy? What to know

Each fan at Chase Field may carry one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches or a clear plastic freezer bag no larger than one gallon. Clear bags may not have obscured interior pockets.

Fans may also carry a clutch purse no larger than 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches.

Bags and purses are subject to search.

Guests carrying unapproved bags will be asked to return them to their vehicle. Complimentary clear plastic bags will be available at several locations around the stadium perimeter, so guests may transfer their belongings to an approved bag.

Empty, non-approved bags will not be allowed into the stadium and must be returned to the guest's vehicle.

— Ed Masley

Fans ready for Game 3 against the Dodgers

Diamondbacks fans showed up Wednesday at Chase Field hours before game time and ready to cheer on their team. The stadium gates opened at 3:30 p.m.

Sheryl Kane, Rey Acosta and Tewa Acosta drove four hours from White River, Arizona, to see the Diamondbacks play. Rey Acosta said he is a lifelong Diamondbacks fan, and he coaches high school football.

“I drove four hours so they better win!” Rey Acosta told The Republic outstide at the stadium.

Robert Vasquez, of Phoenix, is a lifelong Diamondbacks fan. He said he was excited to share this “historical moment” with the people he cares about most. His girlfriend and mom were joining him for the game — his mom made him a sign that he was holding that read, "Snakes in the grass."

“I’m hoping for a clean sweep. It’s long overdue and I’m so excited!” Vasquez said.

— Eshaan Sarup

Chase Field roof to be open for Game 3

As the Arizona Diamondbacks get ready for Game 3 on Wednesday in its playoff series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chase Field personnel have opened the stadium's retractable roof.

The roof generated a bit of controversy when Chase Field determined last season that the roof would have to remain stationary when fans were in the building because of concerns about the integrity of the cables used to pull it open and close.

The issue was not fixed in the off-season and remains on a list of things that need to be fixed at the stadium.

Sections of the ballpark’s roof are connected by more than 4 miles of cable strung through a pulley system, which is operated by 200-horsepower motors.

— Michelle Cruz, Jeremy Clouff and Nick Piecoro

How to get parking at the Diamondbacks game

DBacks fans looking to reserve parking should visit dbacks.com/parking to prebook through ParkWhiz. The website opens a listing of upcoming playoff games at Chase Field, where fans can click to maps showing available parking ranging from $20-$80.

MLB.com is reminding fans who are not reserving their parking to have a credit or debit card handy as parking garages do not accept cash.

— Jose Gonzalez

Who is performing the National Anthem at Diamondbacks, Dodgers game?

Trumpeter Jesse McGuire will perform the National Anthem at the Diamondbacks game on Wednesday.

McGuire, who lives in Phoenix, is known for his performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” and has performed for multiple presidents and for multiple sporting events, including the 2000 Daytona 500, according to officials.

McGuire performed the National Anthem during game second of the 2001 World Series at then-Bank One Ballpark. The Diamondbacks went on to defeat the New York Yankees and win the championship.

— Shelby Slade

Who is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Diamondbacks game?

Arizona Diamondback’s General Manager Mike Hazen’s four sons will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Diamondbacks versus Dodgers game on Wednesday, according to officials.

Hazen’s sons — 17-year-old Charlie, 16-year-old John, 15-year-old Teddy and 13-year-old Sam — will throw the first pitch in honor of their mother, Nicole Hazen.

Nicole Hazen died in August 2022 from complications related to glioblastoma, a rare form of cancer. She was diagnosed in July 2020.

— Shelby Slade

Chase Field sold out ahead of playoff game versus Los Angeles Dodgers

The Arizona Diamondbacks game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday was sold out, according to officials. After playing the first two games of the playoff series in Los Angeles, the team returned to play its first home game of the series at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

Chase Field will open to fans at 3:30 p.m. and fans were encouraged to arrive early and be in their seats by 5:30 p.m. to enjoy the ceremonial first pitch, national anthem and other pregame activities.

More information on the stadium and the sold-out game was available at https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/ballpark.

— Shelby Slade

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers: Live coverage from downtown Phoenix