World Series Game 1: Soto Flirts with Cycle in Nats Victory

Tuesday was a big night for sports viewing with the home opener of the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors, the LA Clippers hosting the LA Lakers in a game featuring two former Raptors stars on opposite sides, as well as Game 1 of the 2019 World Series.

Nationals 5, Astros 4 (box score)

W: Max Scherzer
L: Gerrit Cole
S: Sean Doolittle

The starting pitching matchup between strikeout kings Scherzer and Cole did not live up to its billing. Scherzer did not work deep into the game, only lasting 5.0 IP with seven strikeouts. Cole was not effective, allowing all five Nats runs on eight hits with six strikeouts in 7.0 IP.

Juan Soto was nearly the first player to hit for the cycle in the World Series. He missed the triple to complete the cycle but went 3-4 with three RBI and one run scored on a moonshot homer to the Minute Maid Park train tracks.

The Nats took a 5-2 lead in the 5th on Soto’s two-run double off Cole, but Houston threatened a comeback when George Springer homered to lead off the 7th. Daniel Hudson would hold the Astros at bay by striking out Yordan Álvarez with the bases loaded to retire the side.

The Astros cut the deficit to one run in the 8th on Springer’s RBI double off Hudson. Doolittle entered the game to face lefty batter Michael Brantley, inducing a lineout to end the threat. Doolittle worked a 1-2-3 9th to record the save and secure a Game 1 victory for the visitors.

The Fall Classic continues tonight with Game 2 at 8:07 PM ET. Matchup: Stephen Strasburg (18-6, 3.32 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (21-6, 2.58 ERA).