The only previous no-hitter in the World Series was a perfect game by Don Larsen of the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. Javier and all three relievers weren’t perfect, but they were close. Plus, they’ve done it before: Javier, the starter in a combined no-hitter against the New York Yankees in June, was pulled with a no-hitter in progress after 97 pitches this time. Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly each followed with a shutout inning, ensuring that this year’s championship will be decided this weekend back at Minute Maid Park. The quartet of pitchers posed with catcher Christian Vázquez near the visitors’ dugout a few minutes after the game, each putting a hand on the game ball for a photo. Game 5 is Thursday night in Philly. Astros ace Justin Verlander will once again chase that elusive first World Series win when he faces Noah Syndergaard. They can only hope to compete as well as Javier. As the 25-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic departed, the only hitmaker from the Philadelphia side to appear on the scoreboard was rocker Bruce Springsteen, pictured surrounded by Phillies fans. And a few innings later, as fans began to leave Citizens Bank Park, there were actually boos for postseason star Bryce Harper and the Phillies. First lady Jill Biden, a noted Phillies fan, was among those in the crowd of 45,693 who didn’t have much to shout about. Alex Bregman delivered the hit Houston desperately needed, a two-run double in a five-run fifth, and that was enough for the Astros. Fully responsible, Javier struck out nine, walked two and allowed almost no potential contact. He tamed a club that was 6-0 at home this postseason while hitting 17 home runs, including a series-record tying five in a 7-0 Game 3 shutout. Very still on the mound, Javier carved out his own quiet spot in the midst of the Phillies’ storm. Back on the grass, he straightened his hat, rubbing the ball, taking deep breaths, went at his own pace. Next year, Javier will not be able to work this way. Major League Baseball institutes a pitch clock — 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty, 20 with someone on base — and Javier often exceeded those limits tonight, drawing boos from a crowd eager for action. Anyway, it worked at first. When Javier held the Phillies scoreless through the first three innings, it was no small feat. No visiting pitcher had done that during the postseason on this bouncy ballpark. In Javier’s last start, he shut out the Yankees with one hit in 5 1/3 innings in the Bronx during the AL Championship Series. That performance by Javier came a year after Atlanta fired Ian Anderson after five hitless innings against Houston.
