Astros throw 1st World Series no-hitter in 66 years

Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly combine to toss 9 hitless innings in Game 4 win.

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Astros tie up World Series with combined no-hitter in Game 4

The bats made noise while the Phillies fans went silent in a big fifth inning for Houston. All of this went on as Cristian Javier pitched a historic gem.

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KTRK) -- How do you respond to an embarrassing 7-0 loss in Game 3?

Hit and pitch like your life depends on it in Game 4.

The Astros guaranteed the World Series will return to Houston for at least Game 6. All they had to do was throw the first World Series no-hitter in 66 years.

SEE MORE: Astros fall behind 2-1 in World Series after historically bad Game 3

Here are the biggest moments of the Astros' must-win Game 4.

Astros baserunners getting on early

Astros' Kyle Tucker is safe at third past Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm on a ball hit by Yuli Gurriel during the first inning in Game 4 of the World Series on Nov. 2, 2022.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Houston's anemic offense in Philadelphia is rearing its head through the first four innings of Game 4.

The Astros were able to deliver four hits, including a double by Kyle Tucker, who in the second inning used aggressive baserunning to slide into third base during a Yuli Gurriel groundout.

All of that said, Houston still hasn't produced runs on the board through four innings.

Whether that upsets Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier's early solid outing remains to be seen at that point.

Through his first three innings, he's been able to hold the Phillies to no hits and just two walks, but Dusty Baker's mission for in-game starter longevity without yielding any runs may be wearing thin.

Entering the defensive fourth inning, Javier settled into 50-pitch territory.

Nevertheless, no scores were on the board at the end of the first four innings.

Astros' money inning pays off

Astros' Alex Bregman hits a two-RBI double during the fifth inning in Game 4 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Nov. 2, 2022.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip

In the fifth inning, Houston's bats came alive and finally produced runs on the board.

The Astros opened the inning with three straight singles by Chas McCormick, Jose Altuve, and Jeremy Peña. The sequence, which produced bases loaded with no outs, chased starter Aaron Nola out and brought in Jose Alvarado, who plunked Yordan Alvarez on the first pitch to drive in the first Houston run scored since the fifth inning in Game 2.

With a 1-0 lead, Alex Bregman knocked in a double to deep left to drive in Altuve and Peña for two more runs. Alvarez advanced to third.

With a 3-0 lead, Kyle Tucker then hit a sacrifice fly to center, bringing in Alvarez to extend the advantage to 4-0 and advancing Bregman to third.

Yuli Gurriel then singled to bring Bregman home and give the Astros a 5-0 advantage.

Alvarado would escape the inning with two straight strikeouts, but the damage was done.

Javier and company become unhittable in Game 4

Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier throws during the first inning in Game 4 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies on Nov. 2, 2022.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum

The run support helps, but Cristian Javier became unhittable from the jump.

Heading into the sixth inning, Javier, who started in Houston's combined no-hitter against the Yankees back in June, struck out nine and allowed two walks, but yielded no hits.

The nine strikeouts and no hits through five innings are a World Series first.

Javier reached 97 pitches after retiring all three batters he faced in the sixth inning.

Bryan Abreu relieved Javier and fanned three straight strikeouts in the seventh inning.

Rafael Montero took the eighth inning to induce a strikeout, a lineout, and a flyout in order.

After a scoreless ninth for Houston on offense, Ryan Pressly came in to shut the door on the night's festivities. Pressly gutted out a six-pitch strikeout of Brandon Marsh before allowing a full-count walk to Kyle Schwarber.

Then, Pressly induced Rhys Hoskins to flyout to right field for the second out, before J.T. Realmuto hit into a groundout to seal history.

Astros win Game 4, 5-0.

Let's unpack the history

With that win, Houston threw the second ever no-hitter in the championship series and the first since 1956, when the Yankees' Don Larsen completed the feat.

Javier has also taken part in a no-hitter for the second time this season. No pitcher had started multiple combined no-hitters in their career, until Game 4.

The evening's combined variety of the no-hitter is the first ever thrown in a postseason game.

And Ryan Pressly became the first reliever to participate in multiple combined no-hitters in their career, let alone finish both.

The Astros threw the third-ever no-hitter in the postseason aside from Larsen's and Roy Halliday's NLDS gem in 2010.

Are we seeing the last of Justin Verlander with the Astros?

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander watches during loss in Game 3 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Nov. 1, 2022.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Manager Dusty Baker officially gave the Game 5 start to Verlander, who allowed the five runs that erased a 5-0 lead in Game 1.

Ahead of Game 4, JV may have indicated that his last moments with the club are coming soon.

"I've really enjoyed my time with this group of guys and the city and getting to know the city. And it's really been a blessing and a wonderful time in my career," Verlander said.

He'll get some momentum after Wednesday's win. Verlander likely faces Phillies' Game 2 starter Zack Wheeler.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.