Houston’s Gurriel out for rest of World Series

Game 6 of the World Series was not completed in time for this edition. For a recap, visit MorningJournal.com

HOUSTON >> Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel will miss the rest of the World Series after spraining his right knee in Game 5, an injury that led to the surprise activation of rookie catcher Korey Lee.

“He wasn’t crying, but he had tears in his eyes,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said of Gurriel. “You could tell how badly that he wanted to play. We just couldn’t do it and had to replace him.”

Gurriel collided with Philadelphia first baseman Rhys Hoskins during a rundown between third base and home plate on Chas McCormick’s seven-inning grounder during a 3-2 win Nov. 3, taking a knee to his head.

Trey Mancini hit for Gurriel in the eighth, and Baker said after the game that Gurriel’s knee was sore.

“He tried everything,” Baker said. “He came in yesterday, got treatment.

Came in this morning early, got treatment. Didn’t respond well enough to play. He tried to run. And from a guy who had knee injuries, the hardest thing to do is to stop and then to round the bases or have lateral movement.”

General manager James Click said Gurriel was diagnosed by a sprained medial collateral ligament.

Mancini, 0 for 18 in the postseason and 0 for 6 in the World Series, was starting at first base and hitting seventh in Game 6 on Nov. 5. Christian Vázquez was the designated hitter and batting sixth.

Houston holds a 3-2 World Series lead. Click said the Astros considered leaving Gurriel on the roster in case he felt better on Nov. 6, when a Game 7 would be played.

MATT ROURKE — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins tags the Astros’ Yuli Gurriel in a run down during the seventh inning in Game 5 of the World Series.