CNN
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of Houston Astros He won the franchise’s second World Series on Saturday after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 at Minute Maid Park.
Both starting pitchers traded hits through the first five innings. The Phillies opened the scoring in the top of the sixth inning with Kyle Schwarber’s solo home run off Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez, who managed to limit the damage before being pulled after the sixth. Valdez finished with nine strikeouts and allowed just two hits and a run.
After allowing two baserunners, Phillies starter Zach Wheeler was pulled from the game with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado gave up a three-run home run to Astros slugger Jordan Alvarez to give Houston the lead. Houston tacked on one more run on Christian Vazquez’s single.
Astros closer Ryan Pressley came in to close the game and made sure the home crowd in Houston went home to celebrate the World Series victory.
Astros rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena was named World Series MVP. Pena became the first starting pitcher in MLB history to win the award, according to the league.
After being down 2-1 in the first three games of the World Series, Houston ended the series after dropping the game. Combination no-hit In Game 4. Game 5 saw Astros astro Justin Verlander collect his long-awaited first World Series victory. Throwing five innings Giving up six strikeouts and one run.
Astros manager Dustin Baker can now add a World Series champion to his impressive resume.
Asked if the win had “hit him” yet, Baker said, “It hit me pretty good.”
“He hit me as soon as the ball arrived – Jordan hit one on the moon. That’s when it hit me,” added Baker.
Baker was asked what was the most exciting part of the race for him, to which he quickly replied, “I haven’t gotten in yet,” but called the team “a great bunch of guys.”
“They told me they were going to win in spring training,” Baker said. “Now what’s next? party!”
The Astros’ victory marked the first time since 2013 that a team won the title at home. And Minute Maid Park isn’t always a happy hunt for the team.
Houston has stumbled twice since the team’s first title in 2017. The Astros have both lost in the Fall Classic against the Washington Nationals in 2019 and the Atlanta Braves in 2021.
The team’s 2017 victory came with many questions and controversies.
Following the win, Astros owner and chairman Jim Crane named current manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnon MLB. He suspended them both without pay for a sign-stealing scandal.
The Major League Baseball club illegally created a system that revealed and broadcast opposing teams’ pitches during the 2017 championship season.
The team paid a $5 million fine for giving up their first and second round picks in the 2020 and 2021 drafts.
The Astros retained their title — but for many Houston fans, it was overshadowed by scandal.
For Philadelphia, the loss is heartbreaking as the franchise seeks its first championship since 2008. He was defeated by punishment to Los Angeles FC in the 2022 MLS Cup Final earlier in the afternoon.