The Dodgers held leads on three separate occasions in addition to rallying to tie the game in the ninth inning down 12-9, before ultimately falling to the Astros 13-12 on Alex Bregman’s walk-off hit in the bottom of the tenth inning. Houston leads the series, 3-2.
What a game and what a series. Each game has been its own chapter in this wild 2017 World Series, but Sunday’s five hour-plus marathon Game 5 could span an entire book.
Let’s start with the records that were set via the long ball.
- There have been 22 total home runs hit in the World Series, a new record with at least one game to play
- 14 different players have hit home runs in the World Series, a new record
- 101 home runs in this postseason is a new record
Those records are pretty cool. There’s another home run record, however, that is alarming. Clayton Kershaw has given up eight home runs in the postseason, a new record.
Related story: Dodgers Poised for a Record Setting Run to World Series
Kershaw had his worst performance of the playoffs, unable to make it out of the fifth inning while allowing six earned runs on four hits. The Dodgers offense spotted the three time NL Cy Young winner leads of 4-0 and 7-4, to which he could not hold. Clayton Kerhsaw was 100-1 in his career when given a four run lead.
Kershaw’s world series ERA is up to a dreadful 5.40.
After Kershaw exited the game, the lead was either taken or tied seven more times. Momentum swung from inning to inning. No relief pitcher on either team was safe. Just ask Brandon Morrow, who gave up four runs on six pitches in his third consecutive appearance.
The Dodgers trailed 12-9 heading to the ninth inning before Yasiel Puig’s homer and Chris Taylor’s single up the middle evened the game at 12-12. Kenley Jansen worked well in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the game as on to extra innings.
However, Jansen would unravel in the bottom of the tenth inning. Jansen, who was named the National League’s top reliever for the 2017 season, proceeded to hit the first batter he faced, walk George Springer next, and finally give up the game-winning single to Bregman. A 13-12 Game 5, and a long red eye flight back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Tuesday.
Yes, teams who win Game 5 of a World Series tied at 2-2 go on to win the title 66.7% of the time. But the Dodgers owning the best record in baseball this season comes in to play more than ever at this very moment.
They have the opportunity to fight for survival at Dodger Stadium, where they won the most home games in franchise history for a season.
Rich Hill will take on Justin Verlander Tuesday night at 5:20 PST. Hill allowed one run on three hits in four innings of work in Game 2. As always, listen to every inning of World Series Game 6 live on your Dodgers station, KHTS.
KHTS Sports is your place for the 2017 World Series and Foothill League football season. If you have any news and notes about our teams and players to share please send them to jp@hometownstation.com, like us on facebook.com/khtssports and follow us @KHTSSports on Twitter and Instagram.
This game would have been one of the greatest World Series games of all time, if the Dodgers had won.
hope your watching the ASTRO game tonight
Hope you like the ASTRO game tonight