The Houston Astros are the 2017 World Series Champions after a tough battle against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The following are major plays during Game 7 of the series:
The Astros entered the field in their orange, alternate jerseys for the first time in franchise history and took the lead in the first inning when George Springer doubled to lead off and then scored on a throwing error by rookie, Cody Bellinger. They managed a second run in the same inning on Jose Altuve’s groundout. The Dodgers responded in the bottom of the first inning by loading the bases off a double and two hit batters. The Astro’s starter, Lance McCullers, managed to get out of the inning by getting Joc Pederson to ground out to second. It was the first of many innings where the Dodgers squandered chances to score.
The Astros scored again in the top of the second inning, and Springer continued to damage the Dodgers by hitting a two-out, two-run homer, bringing the score to 5-0. It was Springer’s fourth straight game in which he homered in the series. The Dodgers starter, Yu Darvish, was taken out of the game after one and two third innings. He was replaced by Brandon Morrow out of the bullpen, and Clayton Kerhsaw started warming up. In the bottom of the second inning, Austin Barnes for the Dodgers was robbed a base hit by the Astros third baseman, Alex Bregman. Later in the third inning, Kershaw was brought in to replace Morrow.
Subsequently, in the bottom of the third, McCullers hit Justin Turner for the second time and it was the fourth hit batter of the game for McCullers. He was pulled out of the game after the next batter. Yasiel Puig, for the Dodgers hit a threatening fly ball that looked like a three-run homer, but fell short keeping the score at 5-0.
Going into the fifth inning, the Dodgers still trailed 5-0; however, Kershaw pitched four innings and gave up zero runs. His performance during Game 7 countered his history of breaking under pressure during the post season. It was his first relief appearance since the National League Division Series in 2016, and after his performance, it is possible he will be used more in that capacity if the Dodgers make the playoffs again going forward.
The Dodgers finally broke through in the sixth inning when Andre Ethier pinch hit and managed a RBI single to bring the score to 5-1. Charlie Morton only allowed the Dodgers one run in the sixth inning. During the eighth inning, the game came down to the relief pitchers. Morton hit for himself in the ninth inning after throwing multiple innings of relief, so he could close out the game for the Astros. At this time, Altuve was spotted dancing in the dugout, feeling presumptively confident.
Morton closed the game with a four inning save and the Houston Astros are officially the World Series Champions for the first time in their 56-year franchise history. Springer was named World Series MVP and it was well-deserved. Finally after the game, during an interview with Ken Rosenthal, Carlos Correa proposed to his girlfriend just to top it all off!