The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series to win their first ever championship since the team was established in 1962 when they were known as the Houston Colts-45s.
Unlike Games 2 & 5 in which the Astros had to comeback from repeated deficits, the Astros were in charge all the way. The Astros got to Dodgers starter Yu Darvish immediately as George Springer led off with a double and scored on a throwing error by Dodgers' first baseman Cody Bellinger. The Astros would score a second run on a RBI ground out by Jose Altuve.
The Astros continued their attack in the 2nd inning on a RBI ground out by starting pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. with a three run HR by Springer to put the nail in the coffin. It was Springer's 5th HR of the World Series and homered in four consecutive Fall Classic games. Not surprisingly Springer was named World Series MVP. It is fitting when you consider the 2014 Sports Illustrated cover story which declared the Astros would win the 2017 World Series. And who was on the cover? None other George Springer.
But even Springer couldn't top Carlos Correa who proposed marriage (and was accepted of course).
The Dodgers weren't without opportunities. Brandon Morrow, Clayton Kershaw, Kenley Jansen and Alex Wood kept the Astros scoreless for 7.1 IP with Kershaw pitching four of those innings. Morrow actually pitched in all 7 games becoming the first pitcher to accomplish the feat since the late Darrold Knowles with the Oakland A's in 1973. They kept the Dodgers in the game.
Unfortunately for the Dodgers they left runners on base. Eleven to be exact. They scored their only run on a PH single by Andre Ethier who is in his 13th year in a Dodgers uniform. The Dodgers were held in bay by Charlie Morton who pitched 4.1 IP of solid relief to earn the win. Not bad for a guy who blew out his knee in his only appearance with the Philadelphia Phillies last year.
If there was ever a city that deserved a parade it is Houston. With numerous residents without a home and possessions following Hurricane Harvey, the Astros were the perfect respite for this disaster.
Dodgers fans are no doubt disappointed with the outcome with this World Series, but it was a win for baseball. With the drama surrounding both Games 2 & 5, this Fall Classic made new fans in a way no other World Series in recent memory has done even including the Chicago Cubs' triumph a year ago. There are thousands, if not millions who have a newfound appreciation for this game and will look forward to what will unfold in 2018 and beyond. As for the Dodgers there's a good chance they'll back very soon.
But for now a hearty congratulations to the Houston Astros be it their homegrown talent like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and Marwin Gonzalez and to veteran newcomers Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and, of course, Justin Verlander. Keeping it all together was Astros manager A.J. Hinch winning his first World Series title as a manager. For tonight, Houston has no problem.
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