Moved up in lineup, Moreno provides G4-winning hit

PHOENIX -- As Gabriel Moreno walked into Chase Field for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday against the Phillies, the rookie catcher was approaching his day no differently than he has for months.

But when he walked into the home clubhouse, he took a peek at the lineup card. Something was different. Looking for more offense after a slow start to the series in Philadelphia, manager Torey Lovullo had made a change to the order.

The 23-year-old Moreno was moving up in the lineup, going from hitting fifth to the three-hole at a time his team was facing a virtual must-win situation. For most players, that could be added pressure. Moreno took a different approach.

“I honestly didn’t even talk to him [Lovullo],” Moreno said in Spanish with a smile. “I took a look at the lineup and I was shocked. But I just took it as another challenge and tried to keep doing the same things I’ve been doing all season long. That was it.”

Moreno, who went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts from the spot in Game 3, was mostly surprised because Tommy Pham had been hitting in that spot since being dealt to the D-backs at the Trade Deadline. He was also taken aback because that would mark the first time in his big league career that he would be hitting in that spot in the order. He had hit in all other eight spots.

In his second crack as the D-backs’ three-hole hitter, Moreno rewarded the decision immediately, providing the go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning in Arizona’s 6-5 win over Philadelphia in Game 4 of the NLCS at Chase Field, evening the series up at two games apiece.

“I felt as confident as I’ve felt in anybody in that spot,” said D-backs designated hitter Evan Longoria. “He had quality at-bats up and down the game. For a guy as young as he is, he really knows how to slow down the moment.”

Since the start of the postseason, Moreno has been key in the D-backs’ success. In Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Brewers, he hit a go-ahead blast off former NL Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes to send Arizona to an early series lead.

Against the Dodgers in the NLDS, the Venezuelan catcher sent Chase Field into a frenzy after hitting a homer off Lance Lynn in Game 3, one pitch after sending one just foul down the right-field line. It was the dagger the D-backs needed to finally get past their NL West division rival.

His three homers, eight RBIs and four extra-base hits are already the most by any catcher in D-backs postseason history.

Given how the postseason had gone, it was only a matter of time before Moreno made his presence felt against the Phillies. That came on Friday, as Moreno continues to establish himself as a clutch performer in these situations, even at his young age.

After Alek Thomas hit a game-tying two-run homer off Craig Kimbrel in the eighth, Geraldo Perdomo struck out for the second out of the inning. But Ketel Marte singled and Corbin Carroll was hit by a pitch, which brought Moreno up to face left-hander José Alvarado, who has been one of the toughest pitchers to hit this season.

Moreno doubled off Alvarado in Game 3, but he knew this at-bat was much bigger. Alvarado fell behind 3-0 in the count. Moreno then took a 99 mph sinker down the middle for strike one. Then, the Phillies left-hander tried to sneak another one past Moreno. He was ready this time, smacking it into left field for an RBI single to cap off the three-run eighth and the team’s fourth come-from-behind win this postseason.

“We have a lot of 23-year-olds that go out and perform at a high level,” Lovullo said. “And then when it’s time for them to act like 23-year-olds, they do. And that’s a lot of fun for me to watch. It’s a great moment for this organization.”

Moreno was always going to be a big part of what the D-backs did this postseason. It’s what the organization envisioned when they acquired him and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the Blue Jays last winter. It’s also what they banked on when they cut ties with veteran catcher Carson Kelly during the season.

Moreno has delivered all season long, and he’s doing it now when it matters most. After a 2-for-3 performance on Friday, including an RBI single in the third inning, Moreno has recorded at least one hit in six of the nine postseason games he’s played in.

That’s what has earned him the right to call himself a three-hole hitter.

“You dream of these moments, honestly,” Moreno said. “Thankfully, I’ve been able to do a good job both offensively and behind the plate. I’m hoping I can keep this going through the World Series.”