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They got that and so much more.
Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly
combined for the second no-hitter in World Series history, and
the Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 on Wednesday.
Houston leveled the best-of-seven series at two wins apiece.
It all started with Javier (2-0). The 25-year-old right-hander
struck out nine and walked two in six innings. He threw 97
pitches, 63 for strikes.
"He was electric," Astros manager Dusty Baker said. "He threw
the ball up, down. The best pitch in baseball is still the
located fastball."
Javier said, "I knew I had to stay focused, keep calm and attack
the hitters as quickly as possible. I thought my fastball was
really good. ...
"It's funny, my parents told me I was going to throw a
no-hitter, and thanks to God, I was able to accomplish that."
He did get help from the Houston bullpen, though.
Bryan Abreu struck out the side in the seventh inning, and
Rafael Montero fanned one in a 1-2-3 eighth.
In the ninth, Pressly struck out leadoff batter Brandon Marsh
swinging. Kyle Schwarber walked to end a streak of 18
consecutive Philadelphia batters retired. Rhys Hoskins flied out
to right, and J.T. Realmuto grounded out to third baseman Alex
Bregman, who threw to first baseman Yuli Gurriel for the final
out.
The only previous World Series no-hitter was a perfect game by
the New York Yankees' Don Larsen against the Brooklyn Dodgers in
Game 5 of the 1956 Fall Classic.
"It's special and it's a moment we'll all cherish forever,"
Bregman said. "We'll remember it forever."
The other prior postseason no-hitter was also thrown in the same
venue as Wednesday's gem, Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies' Roy
Halladay no-hit the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of the 2010
National League Division Series. The Reds' manager that day was
Baker.
Javier became the first starter to throw at least six no-hit
innings in a World Series game since the New York Mets' Jerry
Koosman in 1969.
The three relievers refused to let up.
"We have an extremely fresh bullpen," Baker said. "It's one of
the best bullpens. We had faith they could do the job."
Bregman hit a two-run double, Gurriel added two hits and an RBI
and Jeremy Pena had two hits for the Astros.
The Phillies had three walks and two stolen bases, and they
stranded a runner at second base in both the second and third
innings.
Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola (2-2) tossed four-plus innings
and allowed three runs on seven hits and no walks. He struck out
four.
Jose Alvarado relieved Nola in the fifth with the bases loaded
and no outs, and he allowed all three inherited runners to score
and gave up two runs of his own.
"Just a little bit off," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of
Alvarado. "That's a tough situation. We were trying to keep the
damage to a minimum."
Chas McCormick, Jose Altuve and Pena each singled to open the
fifth before Alvarado took over. Yordan Alvarez was hit by
Alvarado's first pitch to score McCormick for a 1-0 lead.
Bregman followed with a two-run double on an 0-2 pitch, and Kyle
Tucker hit a sacrifice fly to give the Astros a four-run
advantage. Gurriel added an RBI single.
Javier (seven innings), Hector Neris (one inning) and Pressly
(one inning) also combined to no-hit the Yankees this year on
June 25. The Phillies were no-hit on April 29 in a combined
effort by five New York Mets pitchers.
"These guys have a short memory," Thomson said.
In the end, the Phillies realize it's just one loss despite the
historical significance.
"I really don't give a (bleep)," Schwarber said. "Move on to
tomorrow. We'll be in the history books, I guess."
Phillies slugger Bryce Harper added, "We've got to flush this
today and get ready for tomorrow."
--By Andy Jasner, Field Level Media
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