Final: Phillies 6, Astros 5 (10 innings)
J.T. Realmuto has put himself on a path to being greatest catcher in Philadelphia Phillies history.
He added another chapter to his excellent career in Game 1 of the World Series, delivering one of the biggest home runs in franchise history to help the Phillies steal Game 1 of the World Series over a Houston Astros team that once had a 5-0 lead.
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If you’re going to say anything even remotely controversial on World Series Media Day, you better back it up when the Fall Classic starts.
Some viewed Tucker’s suggestion Thursday that the Astros were hoping to “win in four” and “get it out of the way early” as too cavalier:
But he backed up his words in the bottom of the second inning, depositing an 89 mph change-up in the right field stands:
Before the inning was out, the typically-light hitting Martín Maldonado added a second run for the Astros by driving in Yuli Gurriel with an RBI single.
Tucker continued a monster Game 1 in the bottom of the third inning, taking Nola deep for the second consecutive frame, this time a three-run blast that traveled 395 feet:
To their credit, the Phillies bats came alive against Justin Verlander in the fourth inning, after going hitless in their first nine at-bats.
Nick Castellanos got the Phillies on the board with a single into left field that plated Rhys Hoskins:
Alec Bohm followed that with a double into the left field corner that Yordan Alvarez — a DH more often than not — struggled to field cleanly, allowing both Bryce Harper and Castellanos to score:
J.T. Realmuto tied the game in the top of the fifth inning by doubling into the gap in left-center field, scoring both Brandon Marsh and Kyle Schwarber:
Verlander entered the game with an 0-6 record in seven previous World Series starts. Despite being spotted five runs Friday evening, the likely American League Cy Young Award winner wasn’t able to break into the individual win column in his World Series career, lasting just five innings.
Castellanos had a chance to give the Phillies the lead in the top of the seventh inning, with former Phillie Héctor Neris inheriting a bases-loaded, two-out jam. It was almost too crazy of a scenario to even imagine. Ultimately, though, Castellanos struck out swinging:
The Astros nearly walked things off in the home half of the ninth inning. José Altuve blooped a single into center field and then narrowly stole second base. Jeremy Peña then blooped a ball into right field off of Seranthony Domínguez, only for Castellanos to make a catch reminiscent of his tremendous play in Game 1 of the NLDS:
And the Phillies quickly took the lead in top of the 10th, with Realmuto hitting a leadoff opposite-field home run off of Luis García:
In total, Realmuto went 2-4 in his World Series debut, driving in three runs and drawing a walk as well. It’s the type of performance that will get shown at Citizens Bank Park years from now when Realmuto is being inducted onto the Wall of Fame.
David Robertson — a member of the 2009 New York Yankees team that defeated the Phillies in the World Series — closed out the team’s first World Series win in 13 years in the bottom of the 10th inning.
Zack Wheeler will face off with Framber Valdez in Game 2 of the World Series Saturday evening, with the Phillies looking to take a commanding lead before the series shifts back to Citizens Bank Park.
Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Performance
- Aaron Nola lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his first World Series start, in large part because Kyle Tucker feasted on him. Nola was excellent in his first two postseason starts, but has struggled since the beginning of the NLCS.
- Justin Verlander now has a 6.07 ERA in eight career World Series starts, and remains without a win in the Fall Classic. One of the better right-hander pitchers in MLB history, Verlander has had a shocking lack of individual success in the World Series in his career.
Ticket IQ Next Game
- World Series Game 2
- Saturday, Oct. 29 at Minute Maid Park
- 8:03 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
- Spanish Radio: WTTM `1680
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