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The Washington Nationals came into the 2019 World Series as heavy underdogs to the Houston Astros, and two games in they are halfway to claiming the first championship in franchise history. The Nationals rolled over the Astros 12-3 in Game 2 to take a 2-0 lead as the series heads back to Washington, D.C.
The first six innings of this game were a thriller. The Nationals jumped on Justin Verlander in the first, with Anthony Rendon doubling in two runs to start the game. However, Alex Bregman tied things up when he crushed a two-run homer off Stephen Strasburg.
Both pitchers settled down from there. Both teams got into scoring opportunities, but Strasburg and Verlander worked out of it through six. In the bottom of the sixth, the Astros put two on with one out, but Strasburg worked out of the jam, getting up to 114 pitches for the game with a 2-2 tie.
The Nationals offense broke out in the seventh inning in a big way. Kurt Suzuki led off the inning with a home run to left to give Washington a 3-2 lead. Verlander left the game after walking Victor Robles. Reliever Ryan Pressly came on and walked Trea Turner. Adam Eaton sacrificed Robles and Turner before Rendon flew out for the second out of the inning. Things went south in a hurry from there. Howie Kendrick hit an infield single, Asdrubal Cabrera singled to shallow center, and Ryan Zimmerman reached on infield single followed by an error — all of which plated five runs.
Washington continued to pour it on over the next two innings. Adam Eaton hit a two-run homer in the eighth, and Asdrubal Cabrera added an RBI single to put Washington up 11-2. Michael A. Taylor hit a home run in the ninth to finish off the Nationals run total.
Houston did not give up without a fight in the ninth. Martin Maldonado hit a solo shot, and the Astros put two men on with two out in the ninth. But it was all for naught. Javy Guerra got the final out, and wrapped up the Nationals win.
Game 3 is set for Friday at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Zach Greinke will take the mound for Houston, while Anibal Sanchez gets the start for Washington. First pitch is set for 8:07 p.m.