Read all about it...
Postgame
Three days, three runs scored, three losses. The Nats came home thinking title, now they head back to Houston thinking survival. Get to a Game 7, get to Max Scherzer: that’s the only mission for Stephen Strasburg, who will take the ball for Washington on Tuesday night. We’ll be there, live, as Houston tries to wrap up a title for the second time in three years. We’ll see you then, but for now, where ever you are, thanks for following with us, and good morning, good afternoon or good night.
Astros 7-1 Nationals, Final
Kendrick bounces out to third and the ballgame is over! A dramatic turn of events is complete at Nationals Park!
Astros 7-1 Nationals, bottom 9th
Pressly gets Howie Kendrick down two strikes and now the Nats are down to their final strike.
Astros 7-1 Nationals, bottom 9th
Here’s Soto.
Check swing...did he go? Yes he did, and the Nats are down to their final out.
Astros 7-1 Nationals, bottom 9th
Rendon lines to right. One down.
Astros 7-1 Nationals, top 9th
Altuve pops out to center. Inning over. Pressly will come in to close out this pathetic three-game showing from the Nats.
Updated
HOME RUN! Astros 7-1 Nationals, top 9th
Well that’s not coming back, unless it lands in the Wrigley Field bleachers, next year, and one of their faithful throws it back to DC.
George Springer completely crushes that ball deep out into the left field night, and in case there was any doubt, there’s none now.
Martinez is out to make a change. It’ll be Wander Suero...?
Astros 5-1 Nationals, top 9th
Kyle Tucker chases high heat and goes down on strikes. Now a tougher opponent: George Springer.
Astros 5-1 Nationals, top 9th
Maldonado laces a Hudson fastball to left for a one-out base hit. Now Kyle Tucker pinch hits for Joe Smith.
Astros 5-1 Nationals, top 9th
Hudson stays in the game to face Correa, who hits a deep fly ball into center - Robles is on the track and pulls it in for the first, loud out.
Maldonado is next.
Astros 5-1 Nationals, bottom 8th
Eaton pops up in foul ground. Gurriel is under it and makes the catch for out no3.
The Astros are three outs away from coming into DC down a pair and leaving up a game after an away sweep! That can’t have happened much over the years.
Astros 5-1 Nationals, bottom 8th
Turner pokes one into right and Springer nearly misplays it - reaching up to grab the ball at the last moment for the second out.
Now it’s up to Eaton in the eighth.
Astros 5-1 Nationals, bottom 8th
So here is Joe Smith, who the Mets inextricably traded away way back when for reasons I will never truly understand.
The man with a submarine...pitching motion gives up a lead-off base hit to Yan Gomes to get the crowd going in the home eighth.
Here comes another former Met in Asdrubal Cabrera.
He checks his swing on 0-2. Did he go? He did indeed! One down!
Turner is next.
Lance Barksdale politely asking if he can get Secret Service protection as well. @LengelDavid
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) October 28, 2019
No sta-min-a...
Trump’s out. The motorcade left Nats ballpark at 10:50p, in 8th inning. pic.twitter.com/wcXLWUdjTA
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) October 28, 2019
The line on Gerrit Cole
Well, if the soon to be free agent Cole is never going to throw another frame as a member of the Houston Astros, he went out in grand style.
7IP 3H 1R 1ER 2BB 9SO 1HR
What else do you want? I’m sure he’ll cook you dinner as well if you ask nicely.
Astros 5-1 Nationals, top 8th
Marisnick is up now with runners at the corners and two down.
On a 2-2 pitch, Hudson misses away, and that’s enough to set off Nats fans again, still simmering over Barksdale’s blown call.
Then Marisnick waves at a slider for strike three and the inning is over.
RUN! Astros 5-1 Nationals, top 8th
A two-out base hit past the glove of the shortstop Turner and the Astros have that run back! That’s a huge knock for the Cuban!
Double switch
When Hudson came in, he entered in the sixth spot in the order. Zimmerman exited, Kendrick moved over from second to play first, and Cabrera came in to play second base...in case you are scoring at home.
Astros 4-1 Nationals, top 8th
Bregman flies to right and it’s not deep enough for Springer to tag at third base. It’s an important second out for the Nats as Yuli Gurriel comes to the plate, seeking a fourth RBI of this Series.
Astros 4-1 Nationals, top 8th
Daniel Hudson enters in relief for the Nats as their fans continue to protest. Meanwhile Springer doubles off the wall in right field.
Then Altuve grounds out to short, sending Springer to third base.
With first base open, they’ll intentionally walk Brantely to face Bregman.
So it’s first and third for the MVP candidate with one out and some key moments here for Washington.
Ridiculous!
Gerrit Cole, Painted 98mph Fastball. 😉 pic.twitter.com/UcIxPei4ZE
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 28, 2019
That's not a good call by Lance Barksdale. Yikes.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 28, 2019
Astros 4-1 Nationals, bottom 7th
Strike three! But that pitch was high and away! That is a terrible call rom Barksdale. Just terrible. You can’t screw up that call in this spot. Come on MLB! Sort it out!
Updated
Astros 4-1 Nationals, bottom 7th
Robles is 0-2 tonight but up even in the count at 2-2 after missing a 98MPH fastball.
And now the count is full as Robles lets a Cole pitch in the dirt go by...
Astros 4-1 Nationals, bottom 7th
Robles swings through high heat to even the count at 1-1. Big at-bat here.
Astros 4-1 Nationals, bottom 7th
The count is full for Zimmerman - Coles’ 104th pitch is up and away, even if Maldonado thought it was strike three and was walking off.
It’s a two-out walk. Robles is next, but not before AJ Hinch comes out to have a chin wag with his ace.
Updated
Astros 4-1 Nationals, bottom 7th
Cole comes right back with a strikeout, a 90MPH slider past the bat of the Nats second baseman. Two down now for Zimmerman.
HOME RUN! Astros 4-1 Nationals, bottom 7th
Soto wakes up the crowd with a solo blast to center field that barely cleared the wall. Marisnick had a real shot at that ball but it escaped the confines and now the Nats are on the board, which is a first step.
Kendrick is next.
Updated
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 7th
Rendon skies a fly ball to left, and for a split second I thought, possibly...maybe...nah. Brantley puts it away. Here’s Soto.
Cole cruising at 88 pitches.
Defense!
For those of you scoring at home...
Marisnick is now in center, Brantley is in left, Springer is in right.
This just in. I wouldn’t count on Donald Trump ever making the presidents race in DC.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, top 7th
The lefty strikes out Cole, and it’s seventh inning stretch time in DC.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, top 7th
Sean Doolittle is on now to try and keep the lead at four. He’s gogt to face Yordan Alvarez first, and the Cuban greets him with a line drive through the right side of a crowded infield. He’s 3-3 tonight.
Jake Marisnick will replace Alvarez as a pinch runner and then stay in to play defense.
Now Correa smacks a ground ball to third - tough hop for Rendon but he’s got it. He fires to Kendrick at second base to get Marisnick, then Kendrick throws to Zimmerman at first to get Correa. That’s a double play - two down!
Here’s the catcher Maldonado who is 0-2 tonight.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 6th
Cole pulls the string with the high slider and Eaton watches it go - strike three, side retired! That’s six more goose eggs now for the Nats, who cannot score! What happened?
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 6th
Ground ball to first, Gurriel has to throw his glove hand at a ball that looks like it could’ve gotten by him - but he has it! Now he’s running to the bag and diving, full extension, in time to get Turner! Fantastic play from the Cuban and that’s the second out!
Now it’s up to Eaton in the Nats sixth.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 6th
Here’s Parra pinch hitting for Rainey.
There goes Parra who was pinch hitting for Rainey.
He is destroyed on three pitches.
Cole in full command.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, top 6th
Gurriel pops to second - inning over.
Nats must wake up bats...
Astros 4-0 Nationals, top 6th
Bregman gives it a ride but Soto is there and puts it away far easier this time around. Two down for Gurriel.
The line on Joe Ross
Look, he took on a really good lineup, and made two bad pitches. Other than that, you were happy, except when you weren’t happy. He was good but not good. Make sense? Fact is, he could have been Warren Spahn and it wouldn’t matter because the Nats can’t touch Cole.
5IP 5H 4R 4ER 2BB 1SO 2HR
Tanner Rainey is in now: he gets Brantley to fly out to left where Soto, taking something of an unusual route, eventually finds the ball and puts it away.
Bregman is next.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 5th
Cole is cruising. Zimmerman pops to Gurriel in foul territory on the right side, then Robles strikes out. That’s five strikeouts now for the Astros ace.
Now Gomes pops to right and that’s a six-pitch fifth inning for Cole, which should have Nats fans swallowing hard.
Too easy.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, top 5th
The 0-2 to Altuve: ground ball to second - Kendrick has it, he flips to Turner sho fires to first - double play, side retired! And the esteemed Joel Sherman is being funny!
New take: Davey Martinez is fully awake and a genius. #Nationals
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) October 28, 2019
Fair statement from the esteemed Joel Sherman...
Davey Martinez is either making a HUGE statement what he thinks about his pen or is asleep, because Ross should probably not be facing the $Astros lineup for a 3d time.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) October 28, 2019
Updated
Astros 4-0 Nationals, top 5th
Cole bounces to second for the first out. Now the count is full on George Springer before drawing a walk.
They can’t keep Ross in there too much longer can they?
Ladies and gentleman...
President Donald Trump was just introduced at Nationals Park during Game 5 of the World Series.
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) October 28, 2019
Lots of boos. pic.twitter.com/xSvZJcTpYH
That’s about 90% cheers and two percent boos? Also, there seemed to be a few “lock him up” chants...
Updated
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 4th
Kendrick grounds sharply to short - Correa is on one knee, has it, flips to second to get Rendon on the 6-4 force, and Cole is through four innings, unscathed after 63 pitches.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 4th
Soto whiffs on a 98MPH fastball, just the kind of fastball Soto crushed off Cole in Game 1.
Now Soto lines out to center field, and there’s two down.
Howie Kendrick steps to the plate. It’s quiet.
Astros 4-0 Nationals, bottom 4th
Eaton looks at strike three on a pitch that may or may not have caught the corner, low and maybe away.
Here’s Rendon.
Note: Cole is 40-0 with a lead of four or more runs, according to a stat posted by FOX TV in the US.
Not a lot of wiggle room according to those numbers, but hey, Rendon just walked.
So here is Soto trying to get something, anything going here for the home team.
Trouble
The Nats have scored two runs in the last 21 innings, in contrast to the 17 they scored in the first two games, away from home.
Here comes the heart of their lineup to see if they can get something, anything, going.
Eaton is up first in the Nats fourth.
HOME RUN! Astros 4-0 Nationals, top 4th
Ross hangs one and Correa does not miss! That ball was crushed into left field, and Ross knew it right away as did us all.
A huge, damaging swing from Correa proves that he’s still extremely dangerous despite his injury issues.
Martin Maldonado lines out to third, into the glove of Rendon and the inning is over, a painful frame for Nats fans.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 4th
Ross continues to battle Correa. Now a ball in the dirt bounces away from Gomes - it’s a wild pitch and Alvarez advances down to second base.
So a runner in scoring position now with the count even at 2-2...
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 4th
Ross is ahead 0-2 and the crowd in DC are on their feet looking to roar!
Correa checks his swing on a ball away - did he go? No says Barksdale.
So we continue.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 4th
Wow, a filthy 3-1 slider and a healthy rip from Alvarez goes without contact. That ball just died at the right time.
Now there is a ball and the count is full.
Alvarez swings and he’s got a base hit through the shift! It’s a two-out single to right field, exactly where they ain’t, and there’s a baserunner on for Correa.
Ross up to 60 pitches...
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 4th
Gurriel, a little roller to short - Turner have to hurry...he charges, has it, fires, in time to get him!
Two down how for Alvarez, who is responsible for all the runs tonight.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 4th
Another foul ball as Ross heads towards the 50 pitch count. How long will Dave Martinez run Ross?
He’s past Bregman after the third baseman bounces out to short. That’s one down - Gurriel is next.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 4th
So here’s Bregman, who it’s safe to say, after last night, and the way he hit the ball in his first at-bat, is out of that little slump he was in.
What can he do with Ross? Well, he’s ahead in the count on the 26-year-old hurler 2-1. Then Ross gets some help from home plate umpire Lance Barksdale (great name, bad call) who calls a pitch outside a strike.
Now it’s 3-2 and Bregman laces a ball foul down the right field line. They’ll do it again...
Astros 2-0 Nationals, bottom 3rd
Turner hits one on the screws to left, but it’s right at the Cuban rookie and Alvarez puts it away. The Nats are retired in the third.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, bottom 3rd
Here’s Brazil’s own Yan Gomes, who pops out gently, in foul territory to the first baseman for the first out. Then the pitcher Ross predictably strikes out, leaving it up to Turner.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 3rd
Brantley skies to center and Ross has gotten through three innings with that two-run blast against him. I think you’d of signed up for that an hour ago if you were a Nats fan. Right?
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 3rd
Cole grounds out to third, so does Springer, and now Jose Altuve is up.
The second baseman has himself a broken-bat base hit as the ball falls into shallow right field, providing a two out baserunner for Houston and Michael Brantley.
Trump and found
The case of the missing executive and chief is over. Trump is watching the World Series from a luxury suite, which was announced after two full innings by FOX TV in the US.
Sharing “the Washington Suite” with Trump for Game 5 of the World Series between Nats and Astros.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) October 28, 2019
Melania Trump
Kevin Brady
John Ratcliffe
Matt Gaetz
Kevin McCarthy
David Perdue
Lindsey Graham
Liz Cheney
Mac Thornberry
Kay Granger
Steve Scalise
Mark Meadows
Andy Biggs. pic.twitter.com/YNIrakfiKt
Astros 2-0 Nationals, bottom 2nd
Slow roller to short - Correa scoops it up, flips to Altuve who fires to Gurriel over at first - double play!
That’s a rally killer off the bat of Robles as the Nats walk off the diamond with nothing despite having had runners at the corners with nobody out. That can’t happen.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, bottom 2nd
Cole is ahead again - it’s 0-2 to Robles. They’ve got to get at least a run out of this.
Astros 2-0 Nationals, bottom 2nd
Zimmerman looks bad on a 1-1 fastball, totally fooled by the high pitch. So he’s in the hole here. Wow - he looks even worse on the next pitch, a breaking ball low and away. Some ugly swings from the veteran first baseman.
One down for Victor Robles.
Updated
Astros 2-0 Nationals, bottom 2nd
Here is the now 21-year-old Juan Soto at the plate, and he promptly lines a change up into right field, just past the outstretched arm of Gurriel.
Now Kendrick is up and he has a knock to right!
Soto is heading to third base on that opposite field base hit, and the Nats have something cooking here in the second. Here comes Mr Nationals himself, Ryan Zimmerman, trying to some of those runs back for his club.
Where is Trump?
FOX TV in the US has not mentioned or shown the President of the United States in attendance at the World Series, which strikes me as odd. Apparently, he has not been shown on the screens at the ballpark either.
Trump has arrived at the World Series. But they haven’t shown him on any screens at the ballpark yet. #WorldSeries2019
— Maura Judkis (@MauraJudkis) October 28, 2019
Updated
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 2nd
Maldonado taps back to the pitcher - it is easy for Ross who throws to first for the out, and the inning is over. But not before the visitors strike first...
Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 2nd
Ross bounces back, making Correa miss on a rising fastball for out no2. Now catcher Martin Maldonado heads to the plate with two outs.
A replay shows that the fan who got hit with Alvarez’ home run was holding two bottles of beer and did not spill a single drop. That’s poise under pressure...
HOME RUN! Astros 2-0 Nationals, top 2nd
Yordan Alvarez, who was in the midst of a power drought, is no longer - he crushes a ball into the seats in left center field, and that blast silences the crowd at Nationals Park!
The Astros are up early, for the third straight game. Here comes Correa to the plate.
Astros 0-0 Nationals, top 2nd
Bregman hits a screamer to right, but Soto is on it, running to his right and making the grab.
One down and here is Gurriel, who hits a high bouncer off the glove of Ross, towards the shortstop Turner - he can’t come up with it!
If Ross leaves that alone they have a real shot at Gurriel, but instead, the Cuban stands at first base while Yordan Alvarez heads to the plate.
One on, one out.
Astros 0-0 Nationals, bottom 1st
It’s fastballs, with the occasional knuckle curve and the odd slider so far from Cole. Now Eaton turns on a fastball and sends it deep to center - Springer is stepping back, back, back, but has room and makes the catch. That, as they say, was not missed by much.
Two down for Rendon, who promptly skies to center, right back into the trusty glove of Springer, and the side is retied.
No runs yet, but Bregman, who had a Grand slam last night, will be first up for Houston when we return.
Astros 0-0 Nationals, bottom 1st
The count is full to Turner and then the shortstop fouls off a pair of high fastballs to extend the at-bat.
Now Turner wastes yet another pitch before he waves at pitch no9. So he’s gone, but he made Cole work while he was there.
Eaton is next.
Astros 0-0 Nationals, top 1st
Everybody up in Washington!
It’s 1-2 to Brantley. Ross sets, and throws high cheese to even the count.
On the next pitch Brantley bounces onto the grass in shallow right field. Howie Kendrick, positioned well in the infield shift, waits, has it, and throws to first to get Brantley.
Ross has put a zero on the board, which is highly desirable if you’re a Nats fan.
Here come DC...
Astros 0-0 Nationals, top 1st
Altuve bounces to short - Turner has it, he flips to Kendrick for one out, then the Nats second baseman fires to first, in time to get Altuve. The crowd roars - double play!
Two down for Brantley!
Astros 0-0 Nationals, top 1st
Springer rips pitch no7 into the left field stands.
Ross’ next pitch just misses on the outside corner - that means Springer is walking to first, and the leadoff man is on for Houston. Here comes Houston’s engine, Jose Altuve, who is just 8-20 in the World Series.
Astros 0-0 Nationals, top 1st
The count is even at 2-2 before Springer fights off an inside fastball. Then Ross fires a fastball high and the count is full!
First pitch
Here we go! The 26-year-old rears back and delivers a fastball strike to George Springer! Then he gets the slugger to foul off his next offering. It’s 0-2 and the crowd is up in DC.
Justin Kavanagh (no relation) writes...
I‘m not sure if Donald Trump knows what he’s walking into tonight: His staff probably told him there was a large Nationals crowd out in the ballpark tonight and he may have misheard. Or the Nats may just have needed a scapegoat to distract the crowd from all the Astros’ winning in DC of late.
Your presidential scapegoat is in...
Prediction time
Momentum is not as good as your next days starting pitcher, for a second straight night. Joe Ross gives the home fans something to cheer about and the Nats win 7-4.
Oh, and did I mention that A-Rod likes the Nats?
The National Anthem
Army Sergeant Major Bob McDonald is familiar sight in DC - he also sang at the Stanley Cup Finals a few seasons ago.
He was good tonight - totally strong and honest rendition: quality from start to finish gets him a 8.5/10. A great score!
Washington Nationals lineup
1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Adam Eaton, RF
3. Anthony Rendon, 3B
4. Juan Soto, LF
5. Howie Kendrick, 2B
6. Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
7. Victor Robles CF
8. Yan Gomes, C
9. Joe Ross, P
Kurt Suzuki’s was injured with a hip-flexor strain in Game 3. Yan Gomes was always expected to catch Patrick Corbin in Game 4, but he must still be banged up because the Brazilian backstop is in the lineup once more.
Of course, all eyes will be on 26-year-old Joe Ross, who will take to the hill in DC moments from now...
Eight years ago today...
People who know me know that I am obsessed with this radio call from Simon Brotherton of the big home run off the bat of David Freese in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series between the Cardinals and Rangers.
Brotherton did something that night that I don’t think and American or a Canadian could pull off in soccer - a high level, dramatic broadcast call in an unfamiliar accent. It was special.
Updated
Max Scherzer
Nats skipper Dave Martinez just told FOX TV in the United States that Max Scherzer will start Game 7, if there is a Game 7.
First things first, Game 5 is coming up! Please stand by...
Some tweets just in...
I don’t know but your political commentary about Trump being in the house had some sarcasm to it. But not a bad days work: golf until 3, WS game 5.
— Howard 🌎⚽️🔴🗽🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@haf118) October 27, 2019
Also...
@LengelDavid Will the real Gerrit Cole please stand up
— Ringo B (@TheRealRingo) October 27, 2019
Yes, Cole did get hit in Game 1 to the tune of five earned runs in seven innings pitched, in sharp contrast to the single run he allowed in 22.1 innings he pitched against Tampa Bay and the Yankees.
How about Game 5? First pitch is about a quarter-hour away. Stick with us!
Houston Astros lineup
1. George Springer, CF
2. Jose Altuve, 2B
3. Michael Brantley, RF
4. Alex Bregman, 3B
5. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
6. Yordan Alvarez, LF
7. Carlos Correa, SS
8. Martin Maldonado, C
9. Gerrit Cole, P
Not much to see here other than Robinson Chirinos sitting out the day after a catcher had a home run. Josh Reddick is a strong bat off the bench.
The Donald is in
Reports say that the President of the United States will be in attendance for Game 5, as probably the best fan in the entire stadium. Could Donald Trump’s winning presence be what Washington needs to get their World Series back on track?
Looks like Alex Bregman and I have the same phone - so cool!
A.J. Hinch learned Max Scherzer was scratched from Alex Bregman, who entered his office to show him an iPhone alert he got.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 27, 2019
Hola!
A few hours ago the phone buzzed and said Max Scherzer wouldn’t be on the hill for Washington in this hyper-critical Game 5. It’s a let down for a neutral baseball fan like myself, but how do Nats fans feel? Surely we can all safely agree that the Nats’ replacement starter, Joe Ross, doesn’t quite carry the cache of their sidelined ace. Yes, it was always going to be a struggle with the Nats’ suddenly stymied offense facing one of Houston’s aces, Gerrit Cole. Now that order is considerably taller.
“He had -- yesterday he had a little bit of spasms in his right trap and neck,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said earlier today. “They treated it. He woke up today a lot worse......he wants to be out there with his teammates.”
Surely the feeling is mutual, especially when you consider that Scherzer sitting out caps off what has been 48 soul-sucking hours that have seen the sizzle siphoned off the once scorching Washington Nationals. This is a team that had arrived home like heroes, having knocked off a heavily favored Astros team in two straight games, inside their own house. They had embarrassed Houston in Game 2 and looked so good that it was challenging to imagine any way back for the AL champs.
Houston steadied themselves with a 4-1 victory on Friday, which did little to dampen the enthusiasm around the Nats. That’s because Houston was turning out a virtually unknown bullpen arm named Jose Urquidy to start Game 4. If momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher, then fans in DC had nothing to worry about.
Then Urquidy threw five shut out innings and Washington were torched 8-1. Suddenly there was plenty to worry about, and especially so with Scherzer sitting in the dugout.
What do the Nats do now? They seek inspiration from Urquidy himself, the hurler who proved that momentum is NOT the next day’s starting pitcher.
If Urquidy can do it, so can Ross, must be the thinking. So what if Ross once had an ERA over 9.00 this season. This is the very same Ross who pitched in exactly one game this postseason, and it came in Game 2 where he threw two scoreless innings.
So, chin up Washington.
Can these Nats muster up what is essentially a must-win in what is their final 2019 game at home? Or will Houston head home with a Tuesday night coronation in mind?
All shall be revealed as we get set for Game 5 of the World Series! How will it end? Drop me a twee and let me know @LengelDavid
Stand by for live coverage - stick with us!
David will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s what happened in Game 4:
Alex Bregman broke loose on Saturday night, putting the Houston Astrosahead with an RBI single in the first inning before launching a grand slam in the seventh to lead an 8-1 romp over Washington in Game 4 of the World Series. Holding his bat high, Bregman took a half-dozen steps down the first-base line, watching his game-breaking slam sail over the fences. He added a late single for good measure as the Astros pulled even in the series, 2-2.
A day earlier, the regular season MVP candidate was hitless in five-bats, stranding six runners and plunging him to 1 for 13 in the Series. Bregman wasn’t daunted and showed why he’s among the most self-assured players in baseball.
Bregman said he felt good swings coming. Asked about his teammate, Michael Brantley echoed that. “I’m not worried about Alex,” Brantley said after a 4-1 win on Friday night. “He’ll find his breaks. I can’t wait to see him come out tomorrow, I’m ready. You be ready, too.”
It didn’t take long: Bregman pounced on the first pitch he saw, and the Astros led the rest of the way. Bregman delivered in a ballpark where he’s had success, and in a city where his family has a legacy.
Last year, Bregman’s leadoff home run in the 10th inning at Nationals Park sent the American League to an 8-6 win and earned him the All-Star Game MVP award. A half-century ago, his grandfather was general counsel for the Washington Senators, the team that moved to become the Texas Rangers for the 1971 season, leaving the nation’s capital without the national pastime until the Montreal Expos came in 2005.
