Rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña drove in two key runs and veteran ace Justin Verlander gutted through five innings as the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Philles, 3-2, in Game 5 of the World Series on Thursday night. Verlander's first career World Series win has the Astros on the cusp of this core's second championship, and first since the sign-stealing scandal.
A night after Cristian Javier and company threw a no-hitter, Verlander … did not. He gave up a home run to Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber, then had to navigate trouble in the second and third innings. At times it looked like the likely Cy Young winner wouldn't make it out of the second. But he got out of each sticky situation, and made it through five before handing it off to the Astros bullpen.
A postseason staple, Verlander had been 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight World Series starts. He got a no decision in Game 1 of this series after coughing up an early five-run lead.
Astros defense saves the day
Dominant throughout the series, the Houston relievers required some spectacular defensive help this time.
Forced into action at first base when Yuli Gurriel exited with an injury sustained in a rundown, the Astros' Trey Mancini found himself in a huge moment.
TREY MANCINI. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?! pic.twitter.com/o6HtgAKStW
— Houston Astros (@astros) November 4, 2022
With the Phillies mounting a rally in the eighth, he snagged a blistered ground ball off the bat of Kyle Schwarber that would have brought in the tying run from third, and may have even scored a go-ahead run from first. In the ninth inning, center fielder and Philadelphia native Chas McCormick made a dazzling catch leaping into the fence to take extra bases from J.T. Realmuto.
In the end, Dusty Baker got five outs from closer Ryan Pressly.
OMG! #WorldSeriespic.twitter.com/hNHKLFl2z3
— MLB (@MLB) November 4, 2022
Altuve, Peña lift Astros lineup
The Astros' top two hitters carried the offense. Continuing his excellent first playoff run, Peña singled in Houston's first run in the first, then homered in the fourth. Jose Altuve spent the night setting the table for him. Thoroughly out of his October slump, Altuve laced two hits, walked and scored two runs.
The Astros will return to Houston with a championship on the table. Friday will be an off day — MLB kept it on the schedule after the Game 3 rainout — and Game 6 will be Saturday night. Framber Valdez will go for the title while the Phillies will hand the ball to Zack Wheeler.
- ZZach Crizer
Tucker played all the hits postgame.
- ZZach Crizer
This Game 5 epic ended in a laundry cart, contained some disagreements, defensive gems and embodies everything the… https://t.co/Kmf6AOZ0EK
- ZZach Crizer
RT @phillysport: Phillies and their home crowd gave everything they had in Game 5 — it just wasn’t enough against the Astros https://t.co/w…
- ZZach Crizer
RT @HOFprez: Talking @BaseballHall at the #WorldSeries https://t.co/xINIu7iMbr
- ZZach Crizer
RT @el_yuly10: A little pain but the win made my knee feel better fast😃 I will get some treatment to get ready for Saturday, thank you for…
- ZZach Crizer
RT @MLBONFOX: The rookie! Jeremy Peña joins @Ken_Rosenthal after homering in the @astros’ Game 5 win in the #WorldSeries https://t.co/1zJ…
- ZZach Crizer
RT @FlippinBatsPod: 🥹 @BenVerlander and @JustinVerlander shared a special moment after Justin recorded his first career #WorldSeries win ⬇️…
- ZZach Crizer
This young fan stayed late and got a chance to meet our guys live on TV! Not a bad way to close out our time in Phi… https://t.co/vc4AHqkjD7
- ZZach Crizer
Our mentality? This series is tied 0-0. https://t.co/J3sh9PVhdX
- ZZach Crizer
Just in case you want to watch it again.#AstrosTopPlay presented by @MethodistHosp https://t.co/XFJ3A1OM9U
How'd we get here? Catch up on everything you need to know for the World Series:
Phillies' Dave Dombrowski in his 5th World Series. Should more teams play his 'Moneyball?'
Rob Thomson and the Phillies' aggression makes the difference in Game 1
Astros rookie Jeremy Peña always had eyes on the majors. Just ask his friends
7 storylines to follow in the World Series
Boo them all you want, but this Astros team is a burgeoning dynasty
How the Phillies long, winding rebuild finally paid off
The chosen one? Bryce Harper's Phillies triumph was anything but preordained
How did MLB reach a point where no American-born Black players will play in the World Series?
The Astros' pitching development juggernaut means they could be good for years to come
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. gets a shot at playoff glory after injury-shortened 2021
The Phillies are taking their own very weird path toward a World Series
The Dodgers and Braves aren't out because of the new playoff format. That's just the playoffs
Why pitching depth matters more than ever in the 2022 playoffs
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