The Houston Astros won the franchise’s second World Series title on Saturday after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park.
Both starting pitchers traded scoreless through the first five innings. The Phillies started the scoring in the top of the sixth inning with a Kyle Schwarber solo home run off Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez, who was able to limit the damage before being pulled after the sixth. Valdez finished with nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits and one run.
After allowing two baserunners, Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was retired from the game with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. Phillies reliever Jose Alvarado gave up a three-run home run to Astros reliever Yordan Alvarez to give Houston the lead. Houston would tack on another run on a Christian Vazquez single.
Astros closer Ryan Pressley came in to close out the game and make sure the home crowd in Houston went home celebrating a World Series victory.
Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena was named World Series MVP. Pena becomes the first rookie in MLB history to win the award, according to the league.
After falling behind 2-1 in the first three games of the World Series, Houston evened the series after going a combined no-hitter in Game 4. Game 5 saw Astros ace Justin Verlander collect his long-awaited first World Series win Series in his career. going five innings with six hits and giving up one run.
Astros manager Dusty Baker can now add World Series champion to his impressive resume.
When asked if the win has “hit” him yet, Baker said, “it hit me good.”
“It just hit me as soon as that ball – Jordan hit one over the moon out there. That’s when it hit me,” Baker added.
Baker was also asked what the most enjoyable part of the ride was for him, who quickly responded that the answer hadn’t “sunk in yet” but called the team “the best bunch of guys.”
“They told me in spring training that they were going to win,” Baker said. “Now, what’s next? Party!”
The Astros’ win marked the first time since 2013 that a team claimed the title at home. And Minute Maid Park wasn’t always a happy hunt for the team.
Houston has stumbled twice since the team’s first title in 2017. The Astros appeared in the Fall Classic in 2019 against the Washington Nationals and in 2021 against the Atlanta Braves, both of which resulted in losses.
The team’s 2017 victory came with many questions and controversies.
After the win, Astros owner and president Jim Crane fired then-manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow after MLB had suspended them both for one season without pay for a license plate-stealing scandal.
Major League Baseball found the club illegally created a system that decoded and shared opposing teams’ license plates during the 2017 league season.
The team forfeited their regular first- and second-round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts and paid a $5 million fine.
The Astros retained their title – but, for many non-Houston fans, it remains a scandal.
For Philadelphia, the loss leads to disappointment as the franchise seeks its first championship since 2008. The city was dealt a double blow on Saturday as the Philadelphia Union lost on penalties to Los Angeles FC in the 2022 MLS Cup final earlier in the afternoon.
