MLB Roundup 11/1: Astros stay alive

Astros keep World Series going

After taking the first two games of the World Series played in Cobb County, the Atlanta Braves had a chance to officially take out the Houston Astros and end the season if they could make it three straight on Sunday. And they certainly got off to a start that made it look like it’d be more of the same. Tucker Davidson faced only three Astros batters in a scoreless top of the first, and then in the bottom half Atlanta loaded the bases for Adam Duvall, who smashed a first inning grand slam. The Braves had an early 4-0 lead and all of the momentum in the series.

But as Red Sox fans we know first hand how relentless this Houston lineup can be, and the Braves learned that the hard way as the game went on. The Astros came back with two runs in the top of the second, and then they scored two more in the third and the grand slam was cancelled out. Freddie Freeman did put the Braves back out in front with a solo homer in the bottom of the third, and that lead held into the fifth.

This inning proved to be the big swing point in this Game Five. With A.J. Minter on the mound, Houston put two on with two outs, and the Braves decided to walk Alex Bregman to get to Martín Maldonado, a move that made sense despite loading the bases given the big drop off in offensive talent. But Minter couldn’t get the zone and ultimately hit Maldonado to tie the game. Old friend Marwin Gonzalez then followed that up with a pinch-hit single to score two more, and the Astros were suddenly up 7-5.

That was basically the game. The Braves couldn’t get anything else going offensively, while the Astros added two more runs as the game went along to eventually make it a 9-5 final score. With the win, Houston keeps the series alive. Things will head back to Texas for Game Six on Tuesday with the Braves leading three games to two.

Houston Reaction

Atlanta Reaction