Astros spoil Series’ return to Washington with Game 3 win
WASHINGTON >> The World Series finally showed up back in Washington, 86 years later — and, sparked by José Altuve, the Houston Astros finally showed up in this World Series.
Altuve doubled twice and scored both times, Zack Greinke repeatedly worked out of trouble, and the Astros showed they were not going to go quietly despite looking listless while falling into a big hole at home, beating the Nationals 4-1 on Friday night to cut their deficit to 2-1 in the best-ofseven Fall Classic.
Houston can even things up in Game 4 tonight at Nationals Park. Washington will start $140 million lefty Patrick Corbin, while Houston manager AJ Hinch said he’ll go with rookie José Urquidy.
Washington’s eight-game winning streak, tied for the longest in a single postseason, ended with a sloppy performance in the first Series game hosted by the nation’s capital since the Senators lost to the New York Giants in 1933.
A sellout crowd of 43,867, dressed mostly in red for the occasion, soaked it all in, standing in unison at key moments, booing ballstrike calls that hurt their team, chanting “Let’s go, Nats!” often and even getting to do their “Baby Shark” sing-and-clap-along when that children’s tune blared as a walk-up song in the sixth.
But the wild-card Nationals were unable to move one win from a championship, undone by an inability to come through in the clutch: Birthday boy Juan Soto, MVP candidate Anthony Rendon and Co. were 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position, leaving 12 runners on base.
How big was this win for Houston? No team ever has come back after dropping the first three games of a World Series.
Maybe that’s why several Astros players gathered for a private meeting following their 12-3 loss in Game 2 on Wednesday. Whatever was said apparently worked.
After playing what might have been their worst baseball of 2019, the Astros suddenly played more like the club that led the majors with 107 regular-season wins.
Greinke, the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner, only lasted 4 2/3 innings, and allowed seven hits and three walks, but managed to give up just one run. He was followed by five relievers who combined to give up two hits across 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Roberto Osuna heard boos when he entered in the ninth but got three outs for a save.
FORMER PITCHER THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH >> The Washington Nationals paid tribute to the city’s baseball past for Game 3. Retired reliever Chad Cordero threw out the ceremonial first pitch in the first World Series game in Washington since 1933. His catcher was Brian Schneider, a teammate on the inaugural Nationals in 2005. That team was the first in Washington in 34 years, following the Senators’ departure for Texas.
Cordero was an All-Star that season and led the National League with 47 saves. He said it was “a huge honor” to be asked to throw the pitch.
CORBIN READY AFTER RELIEF EFFORTS >> After pitching in relief in the Series opener, Corbin was poised to start Game 4. Whether it’s the clincher or a game Washington needs to stay ahead in the series, Corbin can’t wait to get started.
“These are games I want to pitch in,” he said Friday. “This is what you prepare for all offseason, to pitch in these games and just to have the opportunity to go out there, give it my best.
Signed as a free agent during the offseason, Corbin went 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA in 33 starts for Washington.
HOMER HISTORY >> Houston’s George Springer made history with his first-inning homer on Wednesday, his fifth consecutive game with a long ball. That breaks a tie with Reggie Jackson and Lou Gehrig.
“Obviously, those are two of the most historic names in the game. Iconic names,” Springer said. “It’s great to be among them. It’s great to be in company like that. At the end of the day, I’d much rather win,” Springer said. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES >> Major League Baseball is conducting a wider probe of the Houston Astros that goes beyond the assistant general manager who was fired this week for inappropriate behavior, concerned about the team’s initial denial.
Houston terminated manager Brandon Taubman on Thursday, saying he directed inappropriate comments at female reporters during a clubhouse celebration following Game 6 of the AL Championship Series last weekend.
“There are aspects of this that go beyond the incident that’s been dealt with in terms of the employment of the individual,” baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday before World Series Game 3. “We need to gather additional facts.” SOTO CAN LEGALLY BUY A DRINK >> Juan Soto got a sweet treat for turning 21 — a birthday cake on the field from David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez.
Soto starred for the Nationals in helping them take a 2-0 lead over Houston. The breakout star of this postseason is 4 for 7 with two doubles and a home run against the Astros.
Ortiz and Rodriguez are working on the Fox broadcast. The former sluggers presented the cake near home plate before batting practice, talked to Soto about hitting and, of course, took selfies with him. CARRASCO HONORED FOR CHARITY SERVICE >> Cleveland Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco has won the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, Major League Baseball announced. The 32-year-old Carrasco, who has born in Venezuela, has engaged in numerous charitable acts in his home country as well as other nations. He wins the award following a season in which he battled leukemia but later returned to pitch.
The award is given to someone who “best represents the game of baseball, through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” MARLINS GO TO TWINS FOR HELP >> After helping the Minnesota Twins set a major league record for home runs, James Rowson was hired by the Miami Marlins as their bench coach, according to published reports. And even though the Marlins are in MLB, not the NFL, Rowson will also hold the title of “offensive coordinator.” Essentially, Rowson will be in charge of implementing the same hitting philosophy throughout the Marlins’ minor league system.
Rowson, 43, was the Twins’ hitting coach this past season when the team clubbed 307 home runs, more than any team ever in a single season in major league history.