World Series Game 5: Astros Slug Their Way to Series Lead

The Houston Astros and Washington Nationals entered Sunday tied at 2-2 in the World Series. The winner would take the advantage in the best of three matchup comprising the remainder of the series.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s recap, US President Donald Trump had threatened to attend the game. He did indeed appear with a large contingent of loyal Congresscritters and was greeted with boos and chants of “Lock him up!” when his face appeared on the Nationals Park Jumbotron. Perhaps he would have been more warmly received had he traveled to Texas instead.

Astros 7, Nationals 1 (box score)

W: Gerrit Cole
L: Joe Ross

Max Scherzer was scratched from the starting lineup due to severe neck pain. Ross started in his place and pitched a scoreless first inning before surrendering a two-run bomb to Yordan Álvarez in the 2nd inning. Álvarez went 3-3 with two runs scored and two RBI in the game.

The Astros had three dingers during the game, two off Ross and one off Daniel Hudson.

The Nats were held scoreless until the 7th inning, when Juan Soto hit a solo homer off Cole. Cole lasted 7.0 IP, allowing just one run (the aforementioned homer) on three hits with two walks and nine strikeouts.

The Nats face elimination when the series returns to Houston on Tuesday at 8:07 PM ET. Matchup: Stephen Strasburg (18-6, 3.32 ERA) vs. Justin Verlander (21-6, 1.58 ERA).