Astros vs. Phillies: Lance McCullers Jr. rocked with 5 Philadelphia homers in 1st 5 innings

Houston's Cristian Javier faces Philadelphia's Aaron Nola, the Game 1 starter, on Wednesday in Game 4.

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Astros fans in Philly give their expectations ahead of Game 3

Orange and blue have descended on the City of Brotherly Love as the Astros prepare to play the middle three World Series games in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KTRK) -- The Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies resumed their World Series matchup a night later than scheduled on Tuesday.

And if you're rooting on the 'Stros, who marked the fifth anniversary of their first World Series win, this is a night to forget.

Here are the big moments of Astros-Phillies Game 3.

Astros spoiled by Phillies' perfect first inning

There are perfect ways to begin a game with a lot riding on it. And then, there's the way the Phillies did it against the Astros.

It took Ranger Suarez only nine pitches to complete his first inning, including the first two outs made in the first two pitches. Jose Altuve swung at a shallow popup to right that would have gave him a hit had it not been for Nick Castellanos' sliding grab. Then, Jeremy Peña took a bouncing grounder to shortstop for his out.

Then, the Astros took the field on defense, and after allowing a walk, Lance McCullers Jr. hung a knuckle curveball over the plate for Bryce Harper to crush it to right for a two-run homer.

Phillies come out with a 2-0 lead early.

Astros unable to convert with first baserunners on before hole deepens

The Astros' second inning was a slight improvement from the first.

After the first two outs, Yuli Gurriel got on base with his 24th career World Series hit. Rookie David Hensley followed up with a hit up the middle on two strikes, advancing Gurriel to third.

Then, Chas McCormick came up with an opportunity to put Houston on the board, but struck out after a questionable pitch inside.

Meanwhile, the Phillies extended their lead in the bottom half of the inning with two more solo round-trippers. Rookie Alec Bohm started the inning with a first-pitch swing to the short porch in left.

Then, after two outs, McCullers hung a breaking ball to Brandon Marsh, a former Los Angeles Angel, who took it to right.

Houston fall behind even deeper, 4-0.

With the three home runs, the Phillies became the first team in World Series history to launch three home runs in the first two innings.

McCullers exits but not before giving up two more blasts

The Game 3 starter was able to settle down in the third and fourth innings, retiring six combined hitters in order.

But it seemed the Phillies unmasked McCullers like a Scooby-Doo mystery.

After allowing another Brandon Marsh hit in the fifth inning, he allowed Kyle Schwarber to go yard in centerfield and then hung a slider for Rhys Hoskins, who sent a shot to left.

McCullers was pulled after 78 pitches, four 1/3 innings pitched, and six hits, including five homers.

Houston went down a touchdown, 7-0, which would be the score after the final out.

The Phillies' five longballs in the first five innings are not just a World Series first. That has never happened before in postseason history.

Houston's Ryne Stanek entered in relief to collect the remaining two outs of the inning.

Jose Urquidy, who last pitched in a game on Oct. 3, entered in the sixth inning for his first action this postseason to prevent any further damage. He held the Phillies scoreless in three innings of work

As for Houston on offense the rest of the way, the club could only put on four baserunners through two hits and two walks.

Houston's only hits came from Peña, Gurriel, David Hensley, Chas McCormick, and Martin Maldonado. The Astros continue to lack production from Yordan Alvarez, who is now averaging .091 in the World Series.

The Astros are behind, 2-1, in the best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is on Wednesday night.

David Hensley makes World Series debut

ABC13's Adam Winkler speaks with designated hitter/infielder David Hensley, who is being tapped to start at DH in the World Series.

ALCS MVP Jeremy Peña isn't the only rookie who could have made noise in Game 3.

David Hensley, who debuted for the Astros down the stretch, is being inserted after Trey Mancini and Aledmys Diaz were unable to produce in the DH spot in Games 1 and 2.

Did the 26-year-old succumb to nerves the night before his big debut? Hardly.

"I slept pretty well last night. I'm not nervous. I'm prepared for this moment. It's exciting more than anything," Hensley told ABC13, adding that there were some jitters in the morning that he could push aside.

Hensley has seen limited action in the postseason. He had two plate appearances in the AL Division Series, getting on base in Game 2 via a hit-by-pitch.