PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Justin Verlander beamed like a first-time big leaguer, and the Houston Astros feted the 244-game winner like a baby-faced rookie.
“They put me in the cart and rolled me in the shower and just dowsed me with all sorts of stuff," he said. "And it was one of the best feelings in my career.”
After 16 years of trying, Verlander finally gritted out his elusive first World Series win.
The soon-to-be three-time Cy Young Award winner overcame an early jolt, rookie Jeremy Peña hit a go-ahead homer and drove in two runs and the Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Thursday night to head home with a 3-2 Series lead.
“I can say I got one,” Verlander proudly proclaimed.
Buoyed by defensive gems from Trey Mancini in the eighth and Chas McCormick in the ninth, the Astros moved to the brink of their second championship — the other was a scandal-tainted title in 2017. They can close out the Phillies on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.
“There’s going to be a lot of energy in our park,” said Houston's 73-year-old Dusty Baker, one win from his first title in 25 seasons as a major league manager.
Philadelphia, wearing vintage powder blue uniforms in the Series for first time since 1983, lost consecutive games for the first time this postseason.
Of previous Fall Classics tied 2-2, the Game 5 victor has won 31 of 47 times. Three years ago, the Astros lost Games 6 and 7 at home to Washington.
“I think it matters that we’ve already won there this series,” the Phillies' Rhys Hoskins said. “Should give us a little more confidence.”
Verlander is among just five Astros remaining from the team caught using video to steal signs in ’17. He had been 0-6 with an unseemly 6.07 ERA in eight Series starts dating to his rookie season with Detroit in 2006, a blotch in a likely Hall of Fame career.
Pitching with an extra day of rest for his arm and stubble on his face, the 39-year-old right-hander gave up just the one run and four hits over five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. He lowered that Series ERA to 5.63, a celebratory cap on a season in which he returned from Tommy John surgery and re-emerged as the AL's best starter.
Verlander is among just five Astros remaining from the team caught using video to steal signs in '17. He had been 0-6 with an unseemly 6.07 ERA in eight Series starts dating to his rookie season with Detroit in 2006, a blotch in the career of 244-game winner likely to earn his third Cy Young Award this season.
Pitching with an extra day of rest for his arm and stubble on his face, the 39-year-old right-hander gave up just the one run and four hits over five innings with four walks and six strikeouts — including four in a row in the fourth and fifth. He lowered that Series ERA to 5.63.
Philadelphia loaded the bases in the second on Segura’s single and pair of walks. Verlander wiggled out of trouble when he struck out Rhys Hoskins on a slider, then steadied himself.
He pitched with unusual care, throwing exclusively fastballs in 17 pitches to Harper over three plate appearances.
After Harper doubled on the last of those with two outs in the fifth, Verlander and Castellanos faced off in an epic 10-pitch at-bat. After trying two fastballs, two curveballs and his only changeup of the night, Verlander threw his fifth slider of the plate appearance and retired Castellanos on a flyout to short left, pumping a fist twice in excitement.
That was Verlander’s 94th pitch. Dusty Baker, nearing his first title in a quarter-century as a major league manager, went to his bullpen.
Astros pitchers struck out 12, raising their two-game total to 26.
Philadelphia lost consecutive games for the first time this postseason. The Phillies adjusted plans following the Game 3 rainout and wore vintage powder blue uniforms in the Series for first time since 1983.
Syndergaard made his first Fall Classic appearance since 2015 with the New York Mets and had been limited to three relief appearances since his previous start on Oct. 1.
Jose Altuve drove his second pitch high off the wall in right-center and took third when center fielder Marsh fumbled the pickup for an error. Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson made the unusual decision to move the infield in for the game’s second batter, and Peña lined a single to center.
Schwarber tied the score on Verlander’s second pitch, turning on a fastball and sending a no-doubt drive to right for his second home run of Series and fifth this postseason.
Harper walked with one out in the third and Peña jumped to grab Castellanos’ 105 mph scorcher. Alec Bohm singled and Verlander retired Bryson Scott on a flyout.
Peña jumped on a hanging curveball in the fourth for his fourth postseason homer, Syndergaard’s 44th and final pitch.
GETTNG LATE
This was the third game in November, marking the first time a majority of the Series was played in that month.
DIFFERENT KIND OF CYCLE
Philadelphia reliever José Alvarado rode a bicycle around the field during early batting practice.
STREAKS
Gurriel went his first 48 plate appearances of the postseason without a strikeout before whiffing against Connor Brogdon in the fourth. Gurriel trailed only Joey Cora’s 51 in 1995, David Eckstein’s 50 in 2006 and Juan Pierre’s 49 in 2003.
UP NEXT
Houston LHP Framber Valdez allowed one run, four hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings in Game 2, while Philies RHP Zack Wheeler gave up five runs — four earned — and three walks over five innings, including Alex Bregman’s two-run homer.
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