Photo courtesy of David J. Phillip | AP
A Game 5 in any league’s championship series that’s tied 2-2 is always bound for thrills and Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park was no exception as the Houston Astros won 3-2 to come one win away from their second World Series win in six seasons.
For the first time in this year’s World Series, the score didn’t swing 5-0 in a team’s favor as the pitching for both the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies shined.
Justin Verlander and Noah Syndergaard started the night on the mound for their respective franchises. However, the night didn’t get off to an ideal start for Syndergaard as he surrendered a first-inning run to the Astros on a single by ALCS MVP Jeremy Peña that brought home José Altuve.
An early-game strike for Houston appeared to validate the momentum built from Wednesday night’s combined No-Hitter but in the bottom half of the first, Philadelphia swiftly responded by way of Kyle Schwarber’s 51st home run of the season (regular season and postseason).
NO TIME WASTED. SECOND PITCH SCHWARBOMB 💣
📺 FOX and the FOX Sports App pic.twitter.com/WqNIu9sweE
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 4, 2022
Verlander came in clutch in the bottom of the second as he escaped major trouble with the bases loaded for the Phillies. He got Rhys Hoskins to strike out to keep the game even and to keep what would’ve been a raucous crowd silenced.
With both teams even at 1-1 heading into the fourth, the scoring picked up again as Peña hit a solo HR of his own that put the Astros back up front.
Houston back in front!
The rookie Jeremy Peña with a solo shot to make 2-1! pic.twitter.com/CAbUS44afb
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 4, 2022
The lead would stay in Houston’s command as the Astros’ bullpen came through across the final four innings. However, it didn’t come without some threats and no threat was bigger than in the bottom of the eighth when the Phillies stacked two walks and a hit on Rafael Montero.
Jean Segura came through big time for Philadelphia as he singled to right field to cut the Astros’ lead to 3-2.
With a runner on third and the crowd going crazy, it seemed inevitable that the Phillies would tie the game at the very least. However, first baseman Trey Mancini came through with thrilling defensive play to keep Houston out front.
Trey Mancini!!
What a snag to keep the Astros in front! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/F2AGJswkfa
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 4, 2022
Zach Eflin kept it a one-run game heading into the bottom of the ninth and the Phillies nearly had a hit from J.T. Realmuto that would’ve been extra bases for him but instead, Houston center fielder Chas McCormick made the defensive play of the World Series.
Chas McCormick!!!!! OH MY WORD!!!! pic.twitter.com/qMGbgxSGTV
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 4, 2022
Bryce Harper was then hit by a pitch to keep some hopes afloat but Nick Castellanos later grounded out to give Houston a 3-2 series lead.
While the series shifts back to Minute Maid Park should favor the Astros, Houston has lost the last three games inside their own ballpark when the World Series goes back to H-Town for the final two games.
The Phillies are expected to send Zack Wheeler to the mound for Game 6 while Framber Valdez should be on tap to potentially close the series for the Astros.
Game 6 is Saturday night at 8:03 p.m. ET on FOX.
