Dodgers use five-run ninth to even World Series 2-2
The Los Angeles Dodgers put up five runs in the ninth inning to help fuel their 6-2 victory over the Houston Astros in game four of the World Series.
The first eight innings of game four was a pitchers’ duel. Dodgers starter Alex Wood and Astros starter Charlie Morton were both spot-on in their performances. Wood carried a no-hitter through 5 2/3 innings before George Springer took him deep to left on a 3-1 count to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. Wood’s night would end following the home run as it was the only hit and run he allowed while striking out three and walking two over his 5 2/3 innings of work.
Morton was cruising along until he ran into trouble in the seventh inning. Cody Bellinger snapped his 0-13 skid at the plate during the Wold Series with a one out double to left field. Morton was pulled following the double as he went 6 1/3 innings deep allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven and walking none.
Two batters later second baseman Logan Forsythe hit a sharp line drive to center field with two outs off of reliever Will Harris that would score Bellinger and tie the game at one.
The wheels fell off the wagon for the Astros in the ninth.
Closer Ken Giles continued his postseason struggles as he gave up a single to Corey Seager and a walk to Justin Turner to start the inning. The next batter, Bellinger, hit his second double of the game to push across Seager and put the Dodgers on top 2-1. Giles was replaced by Joe Musgrove following Bellinger’s RBI double.
The Dodgers added another run thanks to an Austin Barnes sacrifice fly to extend their lead to 3-1 before the dagger. Joc Pederson stepped up with two runners on and belted a three-run home run to right center that put the Dodgers ahead 6-1.
Alex Bregman hit a two-out home run to left field off of Kenley Jansen in the bottom of the ninth to make it a 6-2 game. However, Jansen retired Jose Altuve following the home run to end the game and secure the victory.
The only two hits the Astros recorded Saturday night were the two home runs as the Dodgers pitching shut them down, something that has been nearly impossible for teams to do to the Astros in Houston this postseason. The Astros hadn’t tailed in 71 innings at home this postseason until the ninth inning of game four. This was also their first loss at home this postseason as their record in Houston now stands at 7-1.
The two teams will meet again in Houston for game five on Sunday night. Game one starters Clayton Kershaw and Dallas Keuchel will square off again to see who will take a 3-2 series lead into Los Angles for game six on Tuesday night. Game time is set for 8 p.m and can be seen on FOX.