Second inning lifts Astros to 5-3 win, 2-1 series lead
The Houston Astros used a four run second inning to propel them to victory in Game Three of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3. With the win the Astros improve to 7-0 at home this postseason while winning their first World Series game at home in franchise history.
After Yuli Gurriel took Yu Darvish yard deep to left in the second the Astros kept hitting the ball. It was seemingly base hit after base git that led to another three runs for the Astros. First Josh Reddick hit a sharp double down the left field line that was followed by an Evan Gattis walk. The next batter Marwin Gonzalez singled to center field scoring Reddick to give the Astros a 2-0 lead.
Brian McCann joined the hit parade with a single to left field that would score Gattis and put the Astros ahead 3-0. Two batters later, Alex Bregman hit a sacrifice fly to center to increase the Astros lead to 4-0.
Yu Darvish’s night would be finished after just 1 2/3 innings. Before game three Darvish was 4-0 with an 0.88 ERA in his last five starts and 4-1 with a 2.16 ERA in six starts at Minute Maid Park. However, he could never find a rhythem last night as he couldn’t make it out of the second while inducing just one swing and miss in 49 pitches.
The Dodgers would however get one back in the top of the third inning. Corey Seager grounded into a 3-6-1 double play that pushed across Joc Pederson to make the score 4-1.
However, the Astros would tack on another run in the bottom on the fifth to make the score 5-1 in their favor.
The Dodgers would get their final two runs of the night in the top of the sixth. Yasiel Puig grounded into a firlders choice to second baseman Jose Altuve to cut the lead to 5-2. Then a wild pitch allowed Justin Turner to score and close the gap to a 5-3 lead for the Astros. However, the Astros would hold on for the rest of the game and take game three 5-3.
Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. did his job Friday night in order to give the Astros a chance to win. He threw 5 2/3 innings while being held responsible for three earned runs on four hits while striking out three and walking four. Brad Peacock threw the final 3 2/3 innings while allowing no runs or hits and striking out four while walking just one.
The two teams will meet Saturday night for game four as the Astros will send Charlie Morton to the hill to face off against Alex Wood of the Dodgers. Game time is set for 8:20 p.m. and can be seen on FOX.