The Philadelphia Phillies came out swinging on the field to crush the Houston Astros 7-0 and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven World Series. Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh hit Astros first baseman Lance McCullers Jr as the Phillies opened up a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins followed in the fifth to make it 7-0. The Astros struggled at the plate all night as the home team cruised to victory thanks to those five home runs. The series remains in Philadelphia for games four and five on Wednesday and Thursday, giving the Phillies — undefeated at home in the 2022 postseason — home-field advantage as they look for the two wins that would clinch their first title since 2008. After persistent rain on Monday forced the schedule down by a day, the Phillies enjoyed a dream start at a raucous Citizens Bank Park, where an illuminated Liberty Bell rings every time the hosts hit a home run. Harper lifted the first pitch he faced for a two-run homer in the first inning, Bohm lined the first pitch in the bottom of the second over left field for his 1,000th World Series home run, and Marsh joined in the fun as the Phillies became the first team to hit three homers in the first two innings of a Fall Classic game. Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez, who had pitched in relief in the opener, threw five scoreless innings and vindicated manager Rob Thompson’s decision to start him ahead of Noah Syndergaard, who was scheduled to start Monday’s rainout. McCullers bounced back to retire seven straight batters in one stretch, but he had no run support from his teammates — and Schwarber and Hoskins ensured the right-hander earned the unwanted record of becoming the first pitcher to give up five innings. home run in a World Series game. Game 1: Houston 5-6 PhiladelphiaGame 5 (Philadelphia): Thu Nov 3 Game 2: Houston 5-2 PhiladelphiaGame 6* (Houston): Sat Nov 5 Game 3: Philadelphia 7-0G HoustonGame 74 (Houston) Philadelphia): Wed Nov 2If required Five years to the day he started the seventh game of the 2017 World Series that Houston won, Lance McCullers Jr. became the first pitcher to give up five home runs in a Fall Classic gameAstros shortstop Jeremy Pena and righty Kyle Tucker and Phillies catcher JT Realmuto were presented with their Gold Glove awards – given to the best player at each position, in the American and National Leagues – before the game
