World Series Game 3: Astros go up early, hold on to take 2-1 series lead

The Houston Astros jumped out to a 2-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 5-3 win in Game 3 of the 2017 World Series.

It was an explosive night in Houston as the Astros’ bats came alive for a huge 2nd inning in Game 3 to give the Astros a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the win, the Houston Astros jump out to a 2-1 lead in the 2017 World Series.

Yuli Gurriel got things started for Houston in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a home run to left field. Marwin Gonzalez had an RBI single that brought in Josh Reddick, and then Brian McCann had an RBI single of his own to score Evan Gattis. Alex Bregman’s sacrifice fly scored Gonzalez and the 2nd inning ended with the Astros up 4-0.

Corey Seager, who missed all of the NLCS with a back injury, sent a grounder in the top of the 3rd inning that turned into a double play but plated Joc Pederson for the Dodgers. The Astros added a run with a Gattis RBI single that brought in Reddick, and the score was 5-1 Houston.

In the 6th inning, the Dodgers edged closer to the Astros when Yasiel Puig grounded out to drive in Seager, followed by a wild pitch to Chase Utley that brought in Justin Turner to cut the lead to 5-3. But those two runs would hold up, as Brad Peacock pitched more than three innings without allowing a hit to get the save for Houston.

Final

Los Angeles Dodgers

3

Houston Astros

5

Highlights

Three stars

Lance McCullers Jr., P, Astros: The versatile pitcher threw 5.1 innings in Game 1 and held the Dodgers to four hits and three earned runs with three strikeouts. Fortunately, McCullers had the support from the Houston bats to give him a little cushion, but he lasted a lot longer in this game than his Dodgers counterpart.

Yuli Gurriel, 1B, Astros: Houston has been dominant at home all season, but returning home and scoring first were two major keys to winning this game. Gurriel’s bomb in the 2nd inning gave the Astros the momentum they needed.

Brad Peacock, P, Astros: Peacock was a starter for the Astros until the postseason arrived and they needed to shore up the middle innings. Peacock’s scoreless 3.2 innings gave the Astros some room to grow their lead, but he also finished out the game for the team to clam the save and add a feather to his versatility cap.

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Next game

The action continues with Game 4 of the 2017 World Series live from Houston on Saturday. The Los Angeles Dodgers will have lefty Alex Wood (16-3, 2.72 ERA, 151K) on the mound and the Houston Astros will start RHP Charlie Morton (14-7, 3.62 ERA, 163K). The game begins at 8 p.m. ET and will air on FOX.