World Series 2022: Philadelphia Phillies hammer Houston Astros 7-0 with five home runs for 2-1 lead
- Published
Bryce Harper has benefited hugely from the designated hitter rule being extended to the National League, as a torn elbow ligament has prevented him from throwing or playing his previous role of right fielder
The Philadelphia Phillies came out swinging on home turf to thrash the Houston Astros 7-0 and take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven World Series.
Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm and Brandon Marsh hit home runs off Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr as the Phillies opened a 4-0 lead in the second inning.
Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins did likewise in the fifth to make it 7-0.
The Astros struggled at the plate all night as the hosts cruised to victory thanks to those five home runs.
The series remains in Philadelphia for games four and five on Wednesday and Thursday, giving the Phillies - unbeaten at home in the 2022 postseason - home field advantage as they seek the two wins that would clinch their first title since 2008.
After persistent rain on Monday forced the schedule to slip by a day, the Phillies enjoyed a dream start at a raucous Citizens Bank Park, where an illuminated Liberty Bell tolls every time the hosts hit a home run.
Harper hoisted the first pitch he faced for a two-run homer in the first inning, Bohm ripped the first pitch of the bottom of the second over left field for the 1,000th home run ever hit in a World Series, and Marsh joined in the fun as the Phillies became the first team to hit three homers inside the first two innings of a Fall Classic game.
Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez, who had pitched in relief in game one, threw five scoreless innings and vindicated manager Rob Thomson's decision to start him ahead of Noah Syndergaard who had been set to start Monday's rained-off encounter.
McCullers recovered to retire seven successive batters at one stage, but lacked any run support from his team-mates - and Schwarber and Hoskins ensured the right-hander took the unwanted record of becoming the first pitcher to concede five home runs in a World Series game.
World Series schedule and reports (home team listed first) | |
|---|---|
Game 5 (Philadelphia): Thu 3 Nov | |
Game 6* (Houston): Sat 5 Nov | |
Game 3: Philadelphia 7-0 Houston | Game 7* (Houston): Sun 6 Nov |
Game 4 (Philadelphia): Wed 2 Nov | *If required |
Five years to the day since he started game seven of the 2017 World Series which Houston won, Lance McCullers Jr became the first pitcher to give up five home runs in a Fall Classic game
Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena and right fielder Kyle Tucker, and Phillies catcher JT Realmuto, were presented with their Gold Glove awards - given to the best fielder in each position, in the American and National Leagues - before the game