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The Astros bounced back to take Game 3 winning 4-1 at Nationals Park on Friday. They did it with a strong bullpen effort and finally, a few timely hits.
Zack Greinke made the start for Houston and he didn’t finish five innings, leaving with the tying runs on and two outs in the bottom of the fifth. But Josh James, who recorded with the win, struck out Ryan Zimmerman to end the threat.
So now we have a pivotal Game 4 with the Nationals having an actual starting pitcher, Patrick Corbin versus another effort by the Houston bullpen. If the Nationals can win, they will have three chances to beat one of the Astros top starting pitchers.
If the Astros win, they hand the ball back to Cole and Verlander with a chance to win the Series.
Astros at Nationals - World Series Game 3 (Nationals lead 2-1)
First pitch honors go to original battery that saved first win at Nationals Park
April 14, 2005:
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 26, 2019
Chad Cordero pitches to Brian Schneider, recording the 1st #Nats save in Washington, DC.
October 25, 2019:
Chad Cordero pitches to Brian Schneider before Game 3 of the #WorldSeries in Washington, DC.@ChadCordero32 // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/xJGzNEfJnr
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin also threw a ceremonial pitch on Friday.
When Buzz Aldrin, who just threw a ceremonial pitch at Nats Park, landed on the moon in 1969, the Senators and Yankees were in the 8th inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Umpires stopped play to recognize the moment. https://t.co/fpJV9PqdpX
— Scott Allen (@ScottSAllen) October 25, 2019
So far, there has been no home field advantage in this World Series
This is the first #WorldSeries where the road team has won each of the first 3 games since the 1996 Fall Classic (Yankees and Braves).
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 26, 2019
h/t @ESPNStatsInfo pic.twitter.com/uTCaZBj3vb
The Nationals had ten opportunities to score a runner in scoring position but could not get even one hit.
The @Astros are the first team to hold their opponent to 0 hits with RISP in the #WorldSeries since the #Rays in 2008 (min. 10 ABs with RISP). pic.twitter.com/S3RNSkDtdf
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 26, 2019
The Astros like the Dodgers and Yankees, did not have a true starter for the fourth spot in a playoff rotation, the Astros tried to use Justin Verlander in this spot in Game 4 in their ALDS against the Rays and that did not work. They had a fortunate rainout in the ALCS and were able to use Greinke and Verlander on regular rest. They did win their one bullpen start in Game 6 of the ALCS.
FINAL: Astros 4, Nationals 1
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 26, 2019
Houston saves its season in Game 3 of the World Series.
Washington loses for the first time since Oct. 6.
The Astros' bullpen -- James, Peacock, Harris, Smith, Osuna -- threw 4.1 shutout innings.
Game 4 is Saturday at 8:07p. P. Corbin vs. B. Pen.