HOUSTON (SPORTSRADIO 610) – A 6-run explosion in the 7th-inning doomed the Astros as they fall to the Nationals, 12-3 and now trail the 2019 World Series, 2-0.
It didn’t take long for the Nationals to keep the pressure on the Astros as they scored two in the 1st-inning on an Anthony Rendon double off the left field wall. Trea Turner started the inning with a four-pitch walk, Adam Eaton slapped a single down the third base line before Rendon drilled an 0-2 pitch off the wall to give the Nationals a 2-0 lead before the Astros came to bat.
Tony two bags!@Nationals go up 2-0. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/MlWGbaLVQN
— MLB (@MLB)
October 24, 2019 As quickly as the Nationals scored two runs off of Justin Verlander, the Astros were almost as quick against Stephen Strasburg. Jose Altuve doubled with one out in the inning, but was thrown out trying to steal third. Michael Brantley kept the inning alive with a single to center, and then Alex Bregman delivered a home run to left to tie the game.
Crushed from every angle. --#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/AagR79SNfY
— MLB (@MLB)
October 24, 2019 Both pitchers would settle down after the 1st-inning. Stephen Strasburg wouldn’t allow another run over his next five innings. Strasburg would earn the win as he gave up two runs on seven hits over six innings.
Verlander would also settle down as he would match Strasburg all the way until the 7th-inning.
Kurt Suzuki hit a solo home run off Verlander to snap the offensive draught as he led off the inning with a towering homer to left to regain the lead for the Nationals,. The following batter, Victor Robles, walked which led to Verlander’s exit from the game. Ryan Pressly relieved Verlander and would immediately walk Turner. An Eaton bunt would move the runners to 2nd and 3rd. Pressly then got Anthony Rendon to fly out for the second out. A.J. Hinch intentionally walked Juan Soto, but an infield single by Howie Kendrick tacked on another run, then Asdrubal Cabrera delivered a 2-RBI single into center. Ryan Zimmerman then singled on a dribbler to third that Bregman threw away, which led to two more runs.
Kurt, for the lead! --#WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/jPvCqmVDS1
— MLB (@MLB)
October 24, 2019 Verlander picked up his third playoff loss in 2019 as he surrendered four runs on seven hits over his six innings of work.
Eaton provided some insurance for the Nationals in the 8th-inning when he hit a 2-run homer to right off of Josh James. Robles reached first to lead off the inning on a passed ball after he struck out. Later in the inning, Cabrera drove in another run when he singled into center again.
The Nats are EATON tonight. #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/AYN4DdeG3x
— MLB (@MLB)
October 24, 2019 Michael A. Taylor gave the Nationals a 10-run lead when he homered in the 9th-inning against Chris Devenski.
Martin Maldonado put the Astros on the board for the first time since the 1st-inning when he hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 9th-inning.
