World Series Game 1: Nationals beat Astros in thrilling opener
On paper, Game 1 of the World Series was supposed to be a pitching matchup of epic proportions as Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer battled the Houston Astros’ previously untouchable right-hander Gerrit Cole.
In reality, two of baseball’s most powerful offenses ended up pushing MLB’s pitching titans to the limit in a game filled with clutch hits and thrilling moments.
Behind a memorable three-hit performance from 20-year-old outfielder Juan Soto, it was the Nationals who emerged with a 5-4 victory in Game 1. Soto homered, doubled, singled and even stole a base, which put him in a category all by himself.
Youngest players to hit a home run AND steal a base in the same game in ANY postseason contest
Juan Soto: 20 years, 362 days in 2019 World Series Game 1
Derek Jeter: 22 years, 105 days in 1996 ALCS Game 1
Gleyber Torres: 22 years, 298 days in 2019 ALDS Game 3— Jason Catania (@JayCat11) October 23, 2019
The victory was Washington’s first in a World Series game.
The Nationals became the first team to beat Gerrit Cole since May 22 — a span covering 25 regular season and postseason starts. They also became the first team to score multiple runs against him in a game this postseason. The dominant right-hander entered having allowed only one run in 22 1/3 innings.
That changed when Ryan Zimmerman and Soto combined to make home-run history for Washington. Zimmerman drove home Washington’s first-ever World Series run with his second-inning solo shot. Soto followed with a solo blast in the fourth inning, making himself and Zimmerman the first 20 years or younger and 35 years or older teammates to homer in a World Series game.
Washington grabbed the lead with a three-run fifth inning highlighted by Soto’s two-run double.
The Astros plated two first-inning runs on Yuli Gurriel’s two-out double. It was the first hit against Max Scherzer with runners in scoring position in 18 at-bats during the postseason. But the three-time Cy Young award winner settled down, holding Houston scoreless over his final four innings.
Houston scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to make things interesting, but Nationals closer Sean Doolittle managed to earned his second four-out save in October.
WHO MADE THE DIFFERENCE
• Juan Soto: What a night for the 20-year-old. Soto has been a driving force for Washington’s offense all season long, so it’s not a complete shock that he was productive in Game 1. When you consider the opposing pitcher though and the environment, it’s a very impressive performance.
• Ryan Zimmerman: When the Nationals needed an answer to Houston’s first-inning rally, Zimmerman instantly stepped up. As the first-ever player drafted by the Nationals in 2005, it’s only fitting this moment belonged to him.
• George Springer: Houston’s lead-off man loves that World Series spotlight. With his seventh-inning home run, he became the first player to homer in five straight World Series games. Of course, Springer was also criticized for not sprinting out of the box on his eighth-inning double, which may have ultimately prevented Houston from tying the game.
MUST-SEE MOMENT
Juan Soto’s at-bats against Gerrit Cole were all must-see.
Cole won the first battle by striking Soto out on three pitches. Then Soto evened the score with a home run. That led to the rubber match, which Soto won again with an opposite-field double. This swing is a thing of beauty.
This is Juan Soto's first #WorldSeries game.
But you wouldn't know it based on these at-bats. pic.twitter.com/XTjcwHbl3a— MLB (@MLB) October 23, 2019
WHAT THEY'LL BE TALKING ABOUT
The Nationals bullpen bent but didn’t completely break in Game 1. Now the concern for Washington is how much bending will it take before the break occurs. Manager Dave Martinez was able to steal three outs by using Patrick Corbin for an inning of relief, but with Daniel Hudson and Sean Doolittle being the only two relievers he believes in it’s going to be an uphill battle to get 27 outs enough times to win a seven-game series.
There will also be plenty of talk about Springer’s eighth-inning brain cramp. Off the bat, he assumed home run, but only ended up at second base when the ball stayed in. Had Springer made it to third, he may have scored the tying run on Jose Altuve’s fly ball to right field.
WHAT'S NEXT
The World Series continues with Game 2 on Wednesday night. First pitch in Houston is scheduled for 8:07 p.m. ET.
The Nationals will look to make it two straight wins with Stephen Strasburg on the hill. The 31-year-old right-hander has been a beast during the postseason, limiting opponents to four earned runs over 22 innings while striking out 33 batters. The Astros will counter with Justin Verlander. The AL Cy Young candidate has had two very rough first innings in October but has otherwise been solid, allowing three total runs over his other 22 1/3 innings.
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