Phillies overcome 5-run deficit to win World Series Game 1
The Phillies overcame an early 5-run deficit and took the lead on a 10th inning JT Realmuto solo home run to beat the Astros 6-5 in Game 1 of the World Series.
Phillies Beat Astros; Lead World Series 1-0
- Winning Pitcher:Â Seranthony Dominguez (2-0, 0.96)
- Losing Pitcher: Luis Garcia (1-1, 1.59)
- Save:David Robertson (1)
If for some reason anybody was still holding out hope that this Phillies team was simply getting lucky or catching all the right breaks that definitely ended with Friday night’s comeback victory in Game 1 of the World Series. Most teams staring down the barrel of a 5-run deficit on the road, with Justin Verlander on the mound would have been content to go down quickly in preparation for a shot at recovering in Game 2.
Instead this Phillies squad staged the biggest comeback in Phillies postseason team history to steal Game 1, while silencing the Houston crowd and showing that never quit attitude that will ultimately be the reason why they are holding the World Series trophy over their heads at the conclusion of this series.
The odds of the Phillies mounting a comeback were certainly against them. In Postseason history, teams trailing by 5 runs or more were just 18-589. Yes, I did the math for you and that comes out to less than 3% win rate.Â
Rob Thompson was pulling all of the right strings tonight and it honestly may have been one of the better handled games I have seen since I began watching this team. His management of the pitching staff after it was clear Aaron Nola would not be delivering an ace performance was impeccable.
Thompson started by bringing in Jose Alvarado in the 5th inning to face the heart of the Astros lineup when it was clear that the game was slipping away. Whether it was the momentum the Astros were building, or the fact that almost nobody has every overcome a 6-run deficit, Thompson smartly recognized the gravity of the moment.
He also made the unorthodox move to bring in his potential Game 3 starter in Ranger Suarez to face Jose Altuve in the 7th inning. Ranger successfully got Altuve for the final out and continued into the 8th where he would get the first out before handing the ball over to Seranthony Dominguez. Thompson rolled the dice countless times with nothing to lose and each time his strategy paid off in a big way for his ball club.
Once again it was a different set of heroes who provided the offense in Game 1. Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm, and JT Realmuto combined for 6 RBI and picked up the offensive slack from the top of the order. Realmuto was especially key, driving in both the tying run in the 5th inning with an RBI double and the go-ahead home run to right field in the top of the 10th that just became a classic moment in franchise history.
Every game for this team it’s someone different taking the reins and stepping up in the biggest moments. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the outstanding defensive play that Nick Castellanos made in the bottom of the 9th inning to prevent the winning run from scoring.
The Phillies defense, universally seen as the weakness that would come back to bite them in the biggest moment, turned into their biggest strength when it truly mattered most. I have been ragging on Nick’s lazy and slow defense in left field for the majority of the season and he even acknowledge in the postgame interview, that during the season he has trouble staying locked in day in and day out. But I have to give him credit, when it mattered most he was there to make the clutch catch.
After securing a game 1 victory on the road, the Phillies have a chance to make a huge statement on Saturday night by taking a commanding 2-0 lead before heading back to Philadelphia for three games in front of the fans at Citizens Bank Park.. (and Wells Fargo Center).. with a chance to win the ring.Â
Zack Wheeler tomorrow and then Ranger Suarez on Monday to all but put the series away with a 3-0 lead. In the back of my head I know this Astros team is still dangerous as hell and could ruin all these well laid plans. But there’s only one thing to do tonight…
RING IT!
Up Next for the Phillies
The Phillies will look to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Series when they take on the Astros in Game 2 at Minute Maid Park in Houston with the first pitch scheduled for 8:03 PM EST.
FOX will carry the broadcast of the game.
Zack Wheeler (1-1, 1.78) will take the mound facing off against Framber Valdez (1-0, 1.42)
Aaron Nola strikes out Jose Pena for the 2nd out in the first inning.
Kyle Tucker hits a moonshot off Aaron Nola in the 2nd inning to give the Astros and early lead.
1-0 Astros
The Astros tack on another run with an RBI single in the 2nd inning.
2-0 Astros
Aaron Nola gets Jose Altuve to ground into an inning ending double play to end the Astros two run 2nd inning. That was huge!
Kyle Tucker hits his second home run in as many at-bats. This guy is insane. Johnny no gloves.
5-0 Astros
Rhys Hoskins should have scored on this single to right field by Bryce Harper but instead he will remain at third base for Nick Castellanos.
Nick Castellanos singles to left field off Justin Verlander to put the Phils on the board and answer the Astros momentum.
5-1 Astros
Alec Bohm knocks in two more runs in the 4th inning with a double off Justin Verlander. Here come the Phils
5-3 Astros
Brandon Marsh leads of the 5th inning with a double off Justin Verlander.
JT Realmuto doubles of the tall left field fence at Minute Maid Park to tie the game up for the Phils who have overcome a 5-run deficit!
5-5 Phils
Rob Thompson called on Jose Alvarado in the 5th inning to face the heart of the Astros lineup and he sets them down 1-2-3.
Alec Bohm makes a great fantastic play along the third base line to get Martin Maldonado for the final out of the 6th inning.
Former Phils great, Hector Neris escapes the bases loaded jam by getting Nick Castellanos to strike out in the 7th inning.
Ranger Suarez takes the ball from Zach Eflin and strikes out Yordan Alvarez for the third out of the 7th inning.
Seranthony Dominguez gets the last out of the 8th inning by striking out Tre Mancini.
After reaching first base on a single to center field, Jose Altuve steals second base on a bang-bang play. The go ahead run is now in scoring position.
Nick Castellanos saves the game with an amazing sliding catch in right field for the last out of the 9th inning.
JT Realmuto rips his third home run this postseason and puts the Phils on top for the first time tonight with a solo shot off Luis Garcia in the 10th inning. Holy Shit!
6-5 Phils
David Robertson forces Diaz to ground out to Edmundo Sosa at third base for the final out of a Game 1 victory.
PHILS WIN 6-5!!!
Mandatory Photo Credit: Philadelphia Phillies
