World Series Game 2 fan updates: DBacks fans celebrate Game 2 victory

The Arizona Diamondbacks got themselves right back in the World Series in Game 2 on Saturday night. They did it, as they so often do, with Merrill Kelly on the mound, guiding the way to a dominant 9-1 win.

The DBacks narrowly lost Game 1 on Friday night with a score of 6-5 following an intense 11 innings of play at Globe Life Stadium. After Game 2, they tied 1-1 with the Rangers in the World Series.

Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll and the rest of the DBacks return to Phoenix for Games 3, 4 and 5 of the World Series to take on the Texas Rangers beginning Monday at 5 p.m.

Watch as Diamondbacks fans — and maybe a few Rangers fans who live in Arizona — come out with style to support their teams.

Follow along with our coverage throughout the World Series.

'Let's come back and win it all': DBacks fans celebrate Game 2 victory

The Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Texas Rangers 9-1 in Game 2, tying the World Series 1-1.

Kelly pitched three-hit ball over seven innings, Ketel Marte extended his postseason hitting streak to a record 18 games and the Arizona Diamondbacks routed the Texas Rangers 9-1 on Saturday night to tie the World Series at one game apiece.

Bruce Gibson and Julian Pete have been DBacks fans since witnessing their first championship in 2001. They watched Arizona get its first World Series win since then on Saturday night at Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen & Bar.

Pete said he had no doubt that the DBacks would answer back in Game 2 after the tough loss on Friday.

“I knew we were going to win it tonight, I came back feeling good,” Pete said. “Now let’s come back and win it all.”

“It was wonderful, everybody had such a great time,” Gibson added. “We’re the AnswerBacks, so tonight we’re answering back.”

— Dylan Wickman

'We're ready to take it': DBacks fans bask in sense of community during 8th inning

Damien and Melinna Womack have been DBacks fans since the team's inception in 1998. They started Saturday night by watching the game at the Chase Field Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers in Phoenix before moving over to Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen & Bar.

Damien said he was on edge after the tough loss on Friday night but is feeling fine now that the DBacks have built a substantial lead in the eighth inning.

“That was a crazy loss yesterday, they got it at the last minute,” Damien said. “In the beginning of the game, I was a bit nervous, but now that we’re where we’re at, I feel pretty good about it.”

He said the atmosphere has been electric all night and it has been wonderful to see the city come together.

“The vibe has been great, you can see the energy in the Valley, and we’re ready to take it,” Damien said.

— Dylan Wickman

Texaz Grill in Phoenix offers haven for Rangers fans

One Phoenix business is catering to Texans during the World Series matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers.

Texaz Grill, located at 6003 N. 16th St., has been a home away from home for Texans in town on a trip or transplants to Arizona. The rustic bar and restaurant has been serving Southern comfort food since it was opened in 1985 by a former Dallas-area resident.

Although this may be a Valley refuge for visiting Texans and Texpats alike, general manager and Lone Star native Steve Pruniski will be rooting for his adopted state’s team.

“I've definitely gone to the other side,” Pruniski said about switching his allegiance to the Diamondbacks, adding, “But I've always been a Rangers fan from the minute I was small.”

Born in El Paso, Texas, Pruniski, 60, moved to the Phoenix area in 1976. Spending time in southwest Arkansas helped solidify him as a fan of the north Texas team, however. The last letter in the establishment’s name tips its hat to Arizona, a switch from a former, more Texas-centric name.

Texaz Grill’s colorfully cluttered interior includes flags like the black-and-white “Come and Take It” battle banner. Serving country dish favorites like barbecue and chicken-fried steak is a draw for Texans looking for a taste from the continental United States’ largest state.

For the Fall Classic, anyone sporting DBacks or Rangers gear during a game can enjoy half-priced entrees. There’s also at least one TV screen that will be playing the matchups.

— Jose R. Gonzalez

Rivalry between police departments in Phoenix, Arlington heats up on X

The DBacks-Rangers rivalry is not above the law.

After the Texas Rangers' victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1, the Arlington Police Department account on X, formerly known as Twitter, took the opportunity to poke fun at their counterparts in Phoenix.

The Arlington Police Department account tagged the Phoenix Police Department in a post that showed Adolis Garcia’s walk-off home run.

The Phoenix Police Department playfully jabbed back.

— Dylan Wickman

Phoenix mayor wagers Pizzeria Bianco in bet against Arlington mayor 

Mayor Kate Gallego will send Arlington Mayor Jim Ross pizza from the Valley's beloved Pizzeria Bianco and wear a Texas Rangers jersey at a Phoenix City Council meeting if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose the World Series.

In return, Ross will send Gallego food from Hurtado BBQ and wear a Diamondbacks jersey if the Texas Rangers lose.

"We're confident that the Hurtado BBQ will be coming our way," Gallego said. "I think (Mayor Ross) will spend the next year dreaming about the Pizzeria Bianco pizza that he won't be able to get."

— Taylor Seely

DBacks fans show team spirit on game day

Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen & Bar hosts DBacks watch party

Guy Fieri’s DTPHX Kitchen & Bar, at Jefferson and Fourth streets neighboring Chase Field in Phoenix, will host the official watch party for the Arizona Diamondbacks for Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday.

Fans will have the chance to earn raffle prizes, including World Series tickets for Games 3 and 4, postseason merchandise and autographed baseballs and bats. The festivities start at 4 p.m., as do the happy hour deals.

— Dylan Wickman

Mayor touts Phoenix as 'Championship Valley' 

Standing outside of Chase Field on Friday, Mayor Kate Gallego told a group of reporters she feels like Phoenix is the "sports center of the universe."

In addition to the World Series, "this year we hosted Super Bowl and our region will also host the NASCAR championships, welcoming 80,000 fans," Gallego said this week.

The city also will host the Final Four and the WM Phoenix Open Golf Tournament this spring.

"We may be the first city to host both a Super Bowl and a World Series in the same year," Gallego said, touting Phoenix as "Championship Valley."

She added that Halloween will be a busy and photogenic day for the city: The World Series game, the Suns game, a sold-out concert and a major convention all will take place downtown.

Gallego encouraged downtown event attendees to take the light rail.

— Taylor Seely

Rain expected in Arlington; Globe Life Field's roof to remain closed for Game 2

With 50% showers expected in Arlington on Saturday, Globe Life Field's roof will remain closed as the Arizona Diamondbacks face off against the Texas Rangers in Game 2 of the World Series.

According to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth, showers are expected before 5 p.m. Central Standard Time in north Texas, which is 3 p.m. for Arizona. The game starts at 5:03 p.m. Arizona time.

Weather will be cloudy with a high near 64 degrees, according to the weather service office in Fort Worth. Winds will be northward at 5 to 10 mph. Later in the night, there will be a chance for showers and thunderstorms.

— Jose R. Gonzalez

First performances and pitches at Chase Field yet to be confirmed 

Games 1 and 2  are in Arlington, Texas, at Globe Life Field. Game 1 featured the 43rd president of the United States, George W. Bush, who delivered the ceremonial first pitch to Rangers Hall of Famer Iván “Pudge” Rodriguez. Bush previously threw the first pitch at the 2001 World Series between the DBacks and the New York Yankees, just months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The national anthem at Game 1 was sung by Grammy Award-winning artist H.E.R.

Game 2 will see the Rangers' own four-time Major League All-Star, Adrián Beltré, deliver the first pitch to fellow Ranger Fergie Jenkins.

Pearl Peterson, the 2023 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth Talent performer, will sing the national anthem for Game 2.

The Diamondbacks will return to Chase Field for the much-anticipated Games 3 and 4 on Oct. 30 and 31, which will bring the World Series to Arizona for the first time in 22 years.

The team was still awaiting confirmation from potential first-pitch throwers as of Friday afternoon.

The MLB handles all national anthem organizations for the World Series and is expected to announce performers for Games 3 and 4 by Sunday.

— Reynaldo Covarrubias Jr.

Who is throwing out the first pitch in Game 2?

Texas Rangers legend and four-time MLB All-Star Adrián Beltré will take the mound to deliver the ceremonial first pitch to Rangers Legend and Baseball Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins just before Game 2 begins between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Beltré announced his retirement from baseball in 2018 after 21 seasons and over 3,000 hits, according to ESPN. A native of the Dominican Republic, Beltré was an All-Star selection four times and won six Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger awards.

However, Beltré did not win a World Series during his career. In the 2011 World Series, during which the Rangers lost to St. Louis, Beltré batted .300, ESPN reported.

— Michelle Cruz

Airbnb rates down for World Series week in Phoenix area

Airbnb rates are down significantly for World Series week in four of the Phoenix metro’s short-term rental hubs, according to the service’s website, which shows hundreds of listings still available despite hotels in downtown Phoenix being nearly full.

The Arizona Republic compared Airbnb rates for Oct. 29 through Nov. 3 this year to nightly booking rates for the same timeframe a year from now, which it used to gauge what prices are typical. Here’s how much cheaper Airbnb short-term rentals are for World Series week by city.

• Phoenix: Airbnb’s average prices next week will be $101 per night, down 11% from the typical $114 nightly rate.

• Scottsdale: The average Airbnb rate is $97 per night, or 9% cheaper than the usual $107 nightly rate.

• Tempe: The average rate is $92 per night. That’s 30% cheaper than the usual rate of $132 each night.

• Paradise Valley: The average rate for World Series week will be $85 a night, which is 20% less than the typical $108 nightly rate.

— Sam Kmack

Who is singing the national anthem before Game 2?

Performer Pearle Peterson, the 2023 Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s national youth talent, will take the stage to sing the national anthem before World Series Game 2 gets underway between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers on Saturday at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The 18-year-old Peterson is a high school senior from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula in Sequim, Washington, where she has been an active member for 11 years and participates in numerous programs focused on leadership, skill building and community engagement.

— Michelle Cruz

Safety is the name of the game for Phoenix police

Police and business owners are taking steps to ensure World Series fans and visitors are safe throughout the games at Chase Field.

Phoenix Police Department will increase patrols, close streets, monitor with cameras and partner with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office to keep the peace during the upcoming home games on Monday, Tuesday and potentially Wednesday.

The department plans to close downtown streets to control traffic on game days. Some streets will be closed at the beginning of the game to guide traffic into downtown and toward the stadium, others at the end to allow people to leave the area and prevent congestion.

During big events, fights are often a concern, according to police. The potential for violence is why the department wants to get people in and out of the area quickly.

Spectators in the stadium with safety concerns can text "Dbacks" followed by their location and a short description of the issue to 69050, according to the Diamondbacks organization.

— Perry Vandell

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks-Rangers World Series Game 2: Live fan coverage