Houston comes up short in the World Series

Astros' season ends with Game 6 loss as Braves win World Series

Astros' Jose Altuve
Houston failed to extend the World Series on Tuesday, as the Braves took Game 6 to win the series 4-2. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Houston failed to extend the World Series on Tuesday, as the Braves took Game 6 to win the series 4-2.

Sometimes in sports, destiny and getting hot at the right time supersedes all else. The Braves upset the NL side of the postseason, surprisingly grabbing the pennant instead of the 100-plus win San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers, who were the favorites. They entered the World Series as underdogs to win it against the Astros, with the oddsmakers expecting their string of over-performing to come to an end at the hand of Houston.

After falling behind 3-1 in the series, the Astros fought valiantly in Game 5 in Atlanta, grabbing a comeback win to keep their hopes alive to get the franchise's second Commissioner's Trophy. Those hopes ended in Game 6, as their season came crashing down as Atlanta's batted balls went flying out of Minute Maid Park, putting a bow on their exciting playoff run and ending Houston's in disappointment.

Final Score: Braves 7, Astros 0

World Series (Best of Seven): Atlanta wins 4-2

Winning Pitcher: Max Fried

Losing Pitcher: Luis Garcia

Atlanta grabs control in the third

Luis Garcia looked like he may be in store for a magical night, sitting down the top of Atlanta's order 1-2-3 on twelve pitches in the top of the first to bring his offense to the plate. Houston had a chance to grab the early offensive momentum in the bottom of the inning, getting their first two batters on base but wasting the opportunity to keep the game scoreless.

Garcia had another 1-2-3 frame in the top of the second, and then Max Fried matched that in the bottom half. The Braves took over the game in the top of the third, putting two on base with a leadoff single and two-out walk before Jorge Soler would blast a three-run homer out of the ballpark to put Atlanta ahead 3-0. That ended Garcia's night, with Brooks Raley coming in to get the third out.

 

Houston's deficit grows

While Fried continued to mow down Houston's bats, Cristian Javier entered to try and eat up some innings out of the bullpen. He made it through the fourth without issue, but a leadoff walk bit him in the top of the fifth, as Dansby Swanson would push the lead to 5-0 with a two-run homer. Later in the inning against Blake Taylor, Freddie Freeman joined in on the run barrage, getting an RBI double to make it a six-run game.

 

Phil Maton took over to get the final out of the fifth, then returned with a scoreless sixth despite allowing two singles. Fried gave his team one more scoreless inning, becoming the first starting pitcher this series to make it six frames, and kept the Astros off the board. Ryne Stanek was Houston's next reliever in the top of the seventh, but the runs kept coming for Atlanta, as Freeman would get his second RBI of the night, this one a solo homer to push the lead to 7-0.

Braves win their first World Series since 1995

No offensive momentum would come for Houston, as they would strand a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh, then were retired in order in the bottom of the eighth. After Ryan Pressly tossed a scoreless top of the eighth, Yimi Garcia was the last pitcher of the night for Houston, keeping it a seven-run game as Houston tried to do something with their final three outs.

The miraculous rally would not come for Houston, though. The Braves would finish off the shutout, taking the series 4-2 to get their first World Series victory since 1995 to bring the Commissioner's Trophy back to Atlanta.

world seriesworld series game 6astrosworld series scoreworld series recapastros vs bravesastros recapastros scorebravesbraves scorebraves recapluis garciamax friedfreddie freeman

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM

Astros’ momentum hits a sudden snag in series opener

Will Houston's offense improve with a new OC calling the shots? Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images.

As quarterback C.J. Stroud returns to lead the Houston Texans for a third season, his offense has a much different look than it did a year ago.

Top receiver Nico Collins and leading rusher Joe Mixon are back. But the Texans have a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley after Bobby Slowik was fired and longtime left tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders in the offseason.

In other moves on offense, Houston traded for receiver Christian Kirk, signed receiver Justin Watson and drafted Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel before signing running back Nick Chubb last month.

Chubb should get a lot of work early in camp with Mixon opening camp on the non-football injury list after missing minicamp with an ankle injury.

“Every year you’re looking to add more and more to your team,” coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday as the Texans opened camp. “I’m excited about the receivers that we’ve added. The young guys, Noel, Higgins, also with Kirk, Watson, all the guys we’ve added at those spots will definitely enhance our offense, giving us more options for where the football can go, and that will help our quarterback a lot.”

 

The Texans needed depth at receiver after veterans Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods left in free agency and with Tank Dell out indefinitely recovering from a gruesome knee injury sustained in December.

Even though it’s early, Stroud has already been impressed by his rookie receivers. Higgins, who has been compared to Collins, had 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Cyclones and Noel added 80 catches for 1,194 yards and eight scores.

“They’ve came in with a great mindset,” Stroud said. “They are really mature guys. Guys who love to work, consistently, here at the building or working with me in the offseason. So, I’m really excited to see those guys’ growth and see them take a step forward each and every day. Not going to be perfect for them, but I think they’re going to make a lot of plays.”

 

While the Texans addressed their need at receiver, their most pressing issue is improving the offensive line after Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which ranked second in the NFL. Though Tunsil was penalty-prone he was Houston’s most consistent lineman and replacing him won’t be easy.

Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery could be Houston’s left tackle of the future after starting 38 games at the position over three seasons at Minnesota. But veteran Cam Robinson will likely open the season at left tackle while Ersery adjusts to the NFL.

Ryans knows everyone is concerned about the offensive line after Stroud was sacked eight times in a 23-14 loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.

“I know I’m going to get a ton of questions about the offensive line and what it looks like,” Ryans said. “You guys will see what it looks like when we line up across from another team and we get a chance to actually compete in live reps. Me talking to you is probably not going to convince anybody here … we’ll see what it looks like, man. I’m excited about the group because I know they’ll be better.”

Stroud is also looking to take another step after leading the Texans to the postseason in each of his first two seasons. Stroud threw for 3,727 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games last season after winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in his debut when he had 4,108 yards passing with 23 TD passes and just five interceptions in 15 games.

He was asked what the biggest lesson he learned last year was that he believes will help him this season.

“Just trust the process,” he said. “It’s not about what people think, who people think you are, what they think you are or when they think you should do it. It’s about your process and how you’re going to go about it. If God is happy, your teammates are happy and yourself, then you’re good.”

You can watch Stroud discuss his growth as a QB in the video below.

 
texanshouston texans

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome