(SportsRadio 610) - The Houston Astros clawed their way back into the World Series, winning a pivotal game 4 on the road, 5-0 over the Philadelphia Phillies to even the series up at 2-2.
The hottest pitcher in baseball, Cristian Javier put his team on his back and delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances in World Series history.
Cristian Javier tossed 6 hitless innings, the most in World Series history since Boston Red Sox pitcher Jim Lonborg hurled 7.2 innings of no-hit ball in 1967.
Yankees legend, Don Larsen holds baseballs immortal record for tossing the only perfect game in postseason and World Series history, blanking the Brooklyn Dodgers in game 2 of the 1956 World Series.
Lonborg’s opportunity at World Series glory fell four batters short. He surrendered a hit in the eighth inning to St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Julian Javier, who lined a ball into the left field corner.
The 22-game and Cy Young award winner that season, Lonborg, finished the game, tossing 9 innings of one-hit ball while walking one and striking out four. The Red Sox won the game 2-0, but lost the series in 7 games.
Wednesday night at Citizen Bank ballpark, it was Cristian Javier’s chance to etch his name and his team into the record books.
During a postgame interview with FOX field reporter Ken Rosenthal, Javier said his parents, who were in attendance, told him before the game that he’d throw a no-hitter.
“It’s funny, my parents told me I was going to throw a no-hitter and thanks to God I was able to accomplish that,” Javier said through the Astros interpreter.
Javier, along with Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly combined for the no-hitter.
Javier finished his night with six no-hit innings including nine strikeouts, two walks while throwing 63 of his 97 pitches for strikes.
It was the second time this season Javier had started a combined no-hitter, doing so earlier this season, on June 26th. Javier tossed 7 hitless innings against the New York Yankees in route to a 3-0 victory. Hector Neris and Ryan Pressly combined for the effort as well.
In the ALCS this postseason, Javier blanked the Yankees for 5.1 innings, allowed just one-hit in the outing, a one-out double in the fourth in route to a 5-0 Astros victory in game 3.
While there are many historical elements to bend one’s mind over from Wednesday’s performance, Javier and the Astros accomplished the most important task at hand.
They tied the series up at two-wins apiece, guaranteeing the World Series ends in Houston for the third time in four years.
Javier’s performance Wednesday night, on the games biggest stage, put his name on the map of the millions of baseball fans around the globe that didn’t realize just how dominant he’s been this season.
For that matter, at only 25-years old, how subjugating he could be for years to come.
The Astros first-year, full time starter made a career high 25 starts this regular season, led all American League pitchers in opponent batting average (.170) among those with at least 130 innings pitched. Javier also ranked second in strikeouts per nine innings with 11.74.
The young, dominating Dominican just saved his most impressive performance for the most important game.
So far, that is.
Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters following Wednesday nights victory that Javier could be available for 2-3 innings, if the series was to go to a seventh game.
Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Astros in game 5 Thursday night.
The Astros have been involved in many historical moments during their 61 year history as a Major League franchise. Game 4 of the World Series provided many more eye-popping rarities to appreciate.
Here’s a few you might enjoy:
The Astros completed just the second no-hitter in World Series history.
The combined no-hitter is the first as such in World Series history. It’s also just the third no-hitter or perfect game in postseason history.
For the Astros, Wednesday’s no-hitter was the 15th in franchise history. It was the clubs fourth ever combined no-hitter, the third since 2019 and the 19th all-time in baseball history.
Wednesday, game 4 of the World Series marked the second time this season the Philadelphia Phillies were no-hit. The New York Mets used five pitchers in a combined no-hit effort to beat them 3-0 in April.
Aaron Nola was on the mound for the Phillies when the Mets no-hit them. Nola is just the third pitcher ever to start multiple games in same season in which his team was no-hit. Cleveland’s Zach Plesac (three times in 2021) and Detroit’s Jim Perry (twice in 1973).
Cristian Javier became the first pitcher in history to record back-to-back postseason games of 5+ IP of one-hit or fewer allowed.
Cristian Javier has not allowed a run to score since 9/14/22. Over six starts, Javier is 5-0 with a 0.00 ERA including a 0.47 WHIP. He’s allowed just 7 H, 9 BB while striking out 34 in 34.1 IP.
Dusty Baker has been the visiting manager in two (Roy Halladay no-hitter in game 1 of NLDS in 2010 and Cristian Javier/combined no-hitter in game 4 of WS in 2022) of the three postseason no-hitters in baseball history.
As a staff, the Astros have now thrown 11 consecutive no-hit innings, tied with the 1939 Yankees for the longest streak in World Series history.