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Best Game Ever?
That’s the title being floated around after Houston’s 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in 11 innings of Game 2 of the World Series, evening up the series at one game apiece.
I don’t know if it was the best baseball game ever, but it is certainly in the conversation.
If you went to bed early, you missed a lot.
George Springer‘s two-run homer in the 11th was the deciding factor, but overall there were eight homers hit, six of them coming in the final three innings. That’s the most homers ever hit in a World Series game.
While Springer gave the Astros an 11th inning lead, there would be more drama as Charlie Culberson hit a two-out homer in the bottom half off Chris Devenski, before Devenski came back to strike out Yasiel Puig in a nine-pitch at-bat for the win.
It was fitting that this game was played in LA as it had Hollywood thriller written all over it.
After Corey Seager touched up Justing Verlander with a two-run homer in the sixth to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead, the most stunning part of the game may have been when Marwin Gonzalez connected with a solo shot off nearly unhittable Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen on an 0-2 pitch in the ninth that tied the game at three.
But we were just getting started.
Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa hit back-to-back home runs against Josh Fields in the 10th to make it 5-3 Astros.
In the botom half of the 10th, Puig took Astros’ closer Ken Giles deep to make it a one-run game before Enrique Hernandez tied the game at five with a two-out RBI single.
Former Pirates’ closer Tony Watson made an appearance, being summoned in the the bottom of the sixth. He made one pitch to Houston catcher Brian McCann and got McCann to bounce into an inning-ending double play.
It was a thrilling game start to finish and without a doubt one of the most entertaining World Series games of all time.
Home Cooking
It was huge for the Astros to get a win in LA.
Now they are heading home with the series tied and heading back to a place they have been very dominant in the postseason.
The Astros are only now 2-5 on the road in the playoffs, but 6-0 at Minute Maid Park, where they outscored the Red Sox and Yankees 31-7.
It was also a positive sign to see Houston get that offense rolling again.
For the Dodgers, seeing their bullpen, which has been dominant, get touched up could be a bit concerning for Dave Roberts.
Going for it
The Astros made a bold move acquiring Justin Verlander from the Tigers at the August 31 trade deadline.
That’s the type of bold move the Pirates have never been willing to make.
The result has been that Houston improved to 10-0 in nine starts and one relief appearance by Verlander since the trade.
The Astros made the move and it is paying off as they have a legitimate chance of winning their first World Series in franchise history.
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