The Houston Astros came through with huge defensive plays in Game 5 to quiet the Philadelphia Phillies and move one win away from a World Series title.
The Phillies had chances to turn the tide against the Astros in Game 5 but when push came to shove, Houston had all the answers.
Trey Mancini and Chas McCormick made outstanding defensive plays as the Astros locked down a 3-2 victory in Philadelphia.
Astros fans like Mattress Mack and others enjoyed the hell out of the result.
Justin Verlander has his first World Series victory, and the Astros are one win from the title. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 4, 2022
One more to go! What a job by our @astros, H-Town. We’re just one win away from our second World Championship in franchise history. See y’all on Saturday at the Juice Box! pic.twitter.com/J7EnKJM7We
— @MattressMack (@MattressMack) November 4, 2022
Chas!!! pic.twitter.com/MJjJJDrdvP
— @MattressMack (@MattressMack) November 4, 2022
If that’s it for Justin Verlander in an Astros jersey, thank you for the memories. You pushed us over the finish line in 2017. You solidified a Hall of Fame Legacy. You’ve got your World Series win. Now let’s get another ring.
— Climbing Tal's Hill (@astrosCTH) November 4, 2022
The Trey Mancini play is also incredible because typically a first baseman takes a big shuffle or two off the bag once the pitcher goes home.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 4, 2022
In that situation the Astros were in “No doubles” so he came off the bag soft and that’s the only way he makes that play.
https://twitter.com/BRWalkoff/status/1588379891124391936
That catch by Chas is one of the best defensive plays I’ve ever seen in playoff baseball #LevelUp
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) November 4, 2022
SHE'S NOT AN ASTROS FAN? HER LOSS. pic.twitter.com/WoYO2sDxNT
— Houston Astros (@astros) November 4, 2022
It was a huge win for the Astros, who were down 2-1 in the series and have now flipped the script. They can win the whole thing at home on Saturday.
Skip Bayless even called it.
CONGRATS TO THE ASTROS FOR WINNING THE 2022 WORLD SERIES, THANKS IN LARGEST PART TO CHAS MCCORMICK'S CLUTCH CATCH CLIMBING THE CENTER FIELD WALL.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 4, 2022
While fans in Houston were celebrating, Phillies fans were dissecting the loss and clinging onto hope.
Credit Astros, blah blah blah…
— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) November 4, 2022
Phillies didn’t help themselves:
-Unable to manufacture runs
-12 left on base
-1 for 7 w/RISP
-Unnecessarily pushed envelope with Syndergaard.
-Hoskins misplay allowed third run.
i’m all for the dramatics of a game 7. make it happen, phillies.
— m (@matttadelphia) November 4, 2022
Phillies had all the chances. Billion people left on base with 2 outs. World Series Champions come through. They didn't. Simple as that.
— Adam Smith (@SmittyBarstool) November 4, 2022
Not over. Gotta miracle it in Houston. Stay strong. It still can be destiny...#RingTheBell
How did it all go down?
Brimming with confidence after their Game 4 no-hitter tied up the series, the Astros wasted no time taking a lead in Game 5. Jose Altuve hit a leadoff triple and Jeremy Peña brought him in as the next man up in the first inning.
It also didn’t take long for the Phillies to end their no-hit streak. Kyle Schwarber tied things up with a home run on his first swing of the night.
Peña put Houston on top in the fourth with a 350-foot home run that ended Noah Syndergaard’s night.
In the eighth inning, the Astros picked up an insurance run. It certainly came in handy in the bottom half of the inning as Nick Castellanos scored on a Jean Segura single. It was 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth.
In the final frame, JT Realmuto was dramatically denied by McCormick at the wall and it ultimately ended with a Castellanos ground out.