A three-point push in the fifth inning allowed the Houston Astros to avoid elimination and lead to a game sixth in Texas on Tuesday. A 9-5 win put them close to 3-2 in the series against the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves had the chance to get their hands on a first World Series title since 1995, and especially the opportunity to achieve the feat in front of their fans at Truist Park. They will now have to return to Houston in hopes of getting their hands on the trophy on Tuesday.
Things had started well for the company of manager Brian Snitker. Adam Duvall set the tone in the first inning with a grand slam on a fast pitch from Astros starter Framber Valdez to give the locals a 4-0 lead.
Valdez got into trouble after two strikeouts, allowing Austin Riley a single and a walk for Eddie Rosario to fill in the bases as Ozzie Albies was already on the trail. Duvall made him foot the bill.
For their part, the Braves handed the ball to 25-year-old starter Tucker Davidson, who had never pitched in the playoffs. Before stepping onto the mound for Game 5 of the 2021 World Series, the southpaw had just 21 innings and two-thirds of Major League experience.
The Astros wasted no time in putting the rookie to the test by closing the gap to two points at the start of the second set. A double from Alex Bregman pushed Yuli Gurriel to the plate, then a sacrifice ball from Martin Maldonado allowed Kyle Tucker to come and score.
Then, early in the third set, Jose Altuve got to first base on a Dansby Swanson error, then Michael Brantley walked out, which ended Davidson’s night.
In relief, Jessy Chavez failed to limit the damage, on the contrary. He allowed a double to the first hitter he faced, Carlos Correa, allowing Altuve to score. Then, the Astros tied for a Gurriel ride.
Davidson will eventually pitch two full innings. He allowed two earned runs on two hits and three walks. He struck out a batter.
A solo homer by Freddie Freeman late in the third inning, again on a fastpitch from Valdez, put the Braves back 5-4. After two strikeouts and a walk out in Rosario, Valdez gave way to the mound.
His working evening will have lasted two and two-thirds innings. He allowed five earned runs on four hits and two walks. He struck out a batter on three strikes.
The Astros take off
The Astros responded early in the fifth inning when Bregman walked up to fill the bases. The Braves preferred to face Maldonado with reliever AJ Minter on the mound. Minter, however, gave Maldonado a walk to tie the ball.
Then Minter singled out alternate hitter Marwin Gonzalez, adding two more runs to the table. The mark was then 7-5.
From that point on, the Astros didn’t look back.
Maldonado extended his lead early in the seventh by producing his third point of the game with a single. Then, in the eighth, Correa pushed Altuve home on a single to give the Astros a four-point cushion.