Top 5 Moments of the World Series
As the World Series heads back to Houston, the Astros are in a great position after taking two-out-of-three at Citizens Bank Park, now leading the series, 3-2.
While the Astros are one win away, there have been memorable moments through the first five games that will cement this Fall Classic into the history books.
Here are the top five moments of the World Series so far:
Game 1: Phillies mount a five-run comeback
Justin Verlander wanted to put his World Series criticism to rest as the 39-year-old looked untouchable through the first three innings.
The Astros got to Aaron Nola early, scoring five runs in three innings as Game 1 already looked out of reach.
Despite being down 5-0, the Phillies strung a couple hits together in the fourth inning as Nick Castellanos got them on the board first.
The next batter, Alec Bohm, ripped a double to left field, scoring Harper and Castellanos to put the Phillies within two.
The next inning, J.T. Realmuto nearly missed a home run as he tied the game with a two-run double to tie the game at five apiece.
Game 1: J.T. Realmuto’s go-ahead home run
Continuing with Game 1, it would take five innings of being tied 5-5 until the dramatics returned.
In the top of the tenth inning, J.T. Realmuto led off with an opposite field solo home run to put the Phillies ahead 6-5.
It was the icing on the cake for a thrilling Game 1, as Seranthony Dominguez shut the door in the bottom of the inning, sealing the first game for Philadelphia.
Game 3: Phillies mash five home runs
With the series knotted up 1-1, the Phillies returned home and Citizens Bank Park saw its first World Series game in 13 years.
Bryce Harper set the tone early, crushing a two-run bomb on the first pitch making it the second pitch in a row Harper has homered on at Citizens Bank Park.
To start the second, Alec Bohm launched a wall scraper over the left field fence, putting the Phillies ahead, 3-0.
Three batters later, center fielder Brandon Marsh followed suit with a wall scraper of his own.
The Phillies looked comfortable up 4-0, but in the bottom of the fifth, Kyle Schwarber crushed a two-run home run well over the center field fence.
Rhys Hoskins joined the party a batter later, sending one out of the ballpark to put the Phillies ahead for good, 7-0.
It may have taken an extra day due to inclement weather, but the Phillies gave their fans a show.
Without a hit with a runner in scoring position, the Phillies reclaimed the series lead, 2-1.
Game 4: Astros throw a combined no-hitter
The Houston Astros had a pretty good answer for the barrage they had endured a night before, coming back in Game 4 to throw a combined no-hitter.
Starting pitcher Christian Javier was lights out, tossing six innings, striking out nine, and only surrendering two walks.
The Phillies looked lifeless the whole night, as Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly marched in to seal the second ever no-hitter in World Series history, following Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 for the Yankees.
The Astros emerged victorious, 5-0, evening up the series and putting a lot of pressure on the Phillies heading into a pivotal Game 5.
Game 5: Chas McCormick’s game-saving catch
Game 5 could’ve gone either way as both teams got on the scoreboard early.
It only took four pitches, but the Astros jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead, silencing the Philly Faithful.
In the bottom of the first, Kyle Schwarber crushed a lead off solo home run off Justin Verlander, and it looked like the Phillies were going to break it open once again.
This was not the case, as it remained 1-1 for the next two innings until rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña hit the first home run by a rookie in the World Series, ending Noah Syndergaard’s night.
Houston would tack on another in the top of the eighth, and the Phillies answered with one of their own after a Jean Segura single as the game went to the final inning with the Astros leading, 3-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Phillies had Hoskins, Realmuto, and Harper coming to the plate.
After a Hoskins strikeout, J.T. Realmuto hit one to the right center field gap, and it looked like the Phillies could have the tying run in scoring position.
Instead, center fielder Chas McCormick leaped up the wall and secured the grab - leaving the fans with a gut-wrenching feeling as the Astros walked out of Citizens Bank Park now leading the series 3-2.
Connor Fenix is a senior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cjf5726@psu.edu.
