The Washington Nationals defeat the Houston Astros 5-4 tonight in Game 1 of the World Series. Tonight’s pitching matchup was between Gerrit Cole versus Max Scherzer, with Scherzer undoubtedly getting the win over Cole thanks in part to Sean Doolittle (closer for the Nationals) securing the save. Houston out hit Washington 10 hits to 9 but couldn’t grab the win. After the 1st inning, it looked like the Astros would go on to romp the Nats thanks to a 2-run double by Yuli Gurriel. Slowly and surely, the Nationals started to even the score. Ryan Zimmerman’s solo home run to center field in the 2nd drew the score 2-1. No runs were scored by either team in the 3rd.

In the top of the 4th, Juan Soto sends a ball 417 ft to left field; that ball literally landed on the rail road tracks. It was his 3rd home run this postseason. Did I mention that he’s still 20 years old (Soto will turn 21 this Friday)? With that home run the game was tied 2-2. Houston couldn’t get anything done in the bottom of the 4th. During the 5th, Washington were able to put up 3 runs against Cole. The first run came off an Adam Eaton RBI single to right field. Then Soto ripped a 2 RBI double to center field, ultimately stunning the home crowd and putting the Nats up 5-2. Again the Astros failed to respond when it came time to hit again. Washington wouldn’t score anymore runs after the 5th. Max Scherzer was replaced by Patrick Corbin at the start of the bottom of the 6th inning; Scherzer was able to keep the Astros from responding and got himself out of a few jams.

Corbin was then replaced with Tanner Rainey. The batter Rainey would face was George Springer. Springer easily ripped a home run off of Rainey to center field, instilling hope in a comeback for the rest of the team and the home crowd. Rainey was shorty replaced by Daniel Hudson who was able to retire the other batters in Houston’s lineup soundly. The score after 7 was 5-3. Gerrit Cole night ended when Will Harris was put on the bump to start the 8th. Cole did not have a great night. He gave up 5 runs, with 2 of those being home runs. Harris was able to retire Washington’s lineup swiftly. In the bottom of the 8th, George Springer’s heroics showed out again with him hitting an RBI double bringing the score to 5-4. After that, the Nats called up their closer Sean Doolittle to ice the game. He did so, making Michael Brantley lineout to left field. Joe Smith replaced Harris in the top of the 9th getting all 3 outs in quick fashion. The bottom of the 9th was a buzzkill for the home crowd. Doolittle struck out Alex Bregman, then Gurriel flew out and Carlos Correa lined out to finish Game 1 at 5-4. Washington are now 3 wins from a 1st World Series title in their history.