The Fall Classic began with an instant classic.
The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros were tied 5-5 in the bottom in the ninth when it looked like the Astros would walk off with a base hit. Outfielder Nick Castellanos had other plans.
Castellanos saves the day!!
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 29, 2022
We are going to extras! pic.twitter.com/ZUMzHapDf6
NICK CASTELLANOS OH MY GOD WHAT A CATCH
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 29, 2022
The first batter in extra innings, J.T. Realmuto, put the Phillies in front 6-5 with a go-ahead solo home run. The lead held up.
THOSE FIGHTINS! #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/tBnyeldpbU
— MLB (@MLB) October 29, 2022
Realmuto talked to Fox Sports' Tom Verducci after the game and said of his game-winning home run: "All I was trying to do was get on base."
Houston appeared well on its way to an easy Game 1 victory after jumping out to a 5-0 lead through three innings and pitcher Justin Verlander being dominant the first time through the lineup.
Things began to turn with a three-run fourth inning for the Phillies, and the Astros were never able to build any more distance between the two teams.
The Phillies' comeback against Houston was the largest in their postseason history.
Phillies comeback from 5-0 deficit. Biggest comeback in Phils playoff history
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 29, 2022
They have come from behind the last 3 postseason games
Phillies have won Game 1 on the road in all 4 playoff series pic.twitter.com/pvH9njRp8A
The loss snapped a seven-game postseason winning streak for Houston. The Astros were 29-0 entering Friday's game in the postseason when they had a lead of five or more. As unfamiliar as this is for the Astros, it's far too familiar a feeling to manager Dusty Baker.
The Houston Astros were 29-0 in postseason history when leading by 5+ runs.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 29, 2022
They're now 29-1 pic.twitter.com/2ihcxLPOXj
The Astros are the first team to lose a World Series game when leading by 5+ runs since the 2002 San Francisco Giants
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 29, 2022
They were also managed by Dusty Baker pic.twitter.com/hbDkVs5UR8
The Astros lost their previous two World Series appearances, both to NL East teams. The Phillies are three wins away from extending Houston's misery.
Realmuto expressed confidence in his team going forward, while also praising the squad they're going against. "It should be a fun battle all series long," he said.
The first act will be a tough one to beat.
Game 2 is Saturday night. Framber Valdez (Houston) and Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia) will start.
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