UNDENIABLE! Astros overcome scandal, Phillies for 2nd World Series win

Yordan Alvarez blasted the go-ahead homer in the sixth inning to give Houston the Game 6 lead for good.

Sunday, November 6, 2022

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- They had to confront free agent departures, scandal, national scrutiny, and the city of Philadelphia. But on Saturday night, the Houston Astros overcame all of that and became World Series champions for the second time in their history.

Here are the big moments of the Astros' Game 6 clincher.

Framber rocked by a 'Schwar-bomb'

Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez celebrates the end of the top of the fourth inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Houston's Framber Valdez and Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler opened the game engaged in a pitchers' dual.

No runs were allowed by either pitcher through the first five innings.

In fact, Valdez was cruising into the sixth, when he faced lead-off hitter Kyle Schwarber, who made contact on a slider and sent it to deep right for the first run on the board.

The Phillies led, 1-0.

The homer marked the first one allowed by Valdez at home since July 3.

As for the Astros on offense, Houston was able to muster just two hits and a walk off Wheeler through five innings.

Yordan Alvarez's blast reignites the 'Stros

Astros' Yordan Alvarez celebrates his three-run home run during the sixth inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston.
AP Photo/Eric Smith

Schwarber's homer injected some confidence in Wheeler heading into the bottom of the sixth, which started with a hit-by-pitch to Martin Maldonado.

Jose Altuve followed with a fielder's choice when he was able to beat the shortstop's throw.

Altuve then advanced to third when Jeremy Peña hit a single up the middle, which chased Wheeler out of the game.

Then, after a Phillies pitching change, Yordan Alvarez was properly re-introduced into the postseason. Alvarez took Jose Alvarado 450 feet to deep center for the lead.

SEE MORE: Meet the fan who caught Astros' Yordan Alvarez's Game 6 moonshot

Astros up, 3-1.

The homer was Alvarez's first in 42 at-bats, dating back to Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

The 'Stros didn't stop the scoring there. With Alex Bregman on base and with another Phillies pitching change, Christian Vasquez sailed a liner to left to score Breggy.

Houston extended the lead, 4-1.

History-making bullpen comes in

Even with the home run, Valdez's outing could be described in the only word that has been associated with him all season: quality.

Set-up reliever Hector Neris, who pitched for the Phillies last year, relieved Valdez, who turned in six innings of work with nine strikeouts, two walks, and just two outs.

Neris went 1-2-3 in the seventh inning, striking out all three batters he faced.

Bryan Abreu got the ball next in the eighth and retired his batters in order.

Ryan Pressly closed out the game for the Astros, who faced a Phillies team that was still in screaming distance.

Pressly induced a Rhys Hoskins flyout before allowing a J.T. Realmuto single. Bryce Harper flied out to left. Nick Castellanos fouled out, and the Astros became world champs again.

MVP named and unpacking history

Astros' Jeremy Pena celebrates his single during the sixth inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Nov. 5, 2022.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip

He's a Gold Glove winner, an American League Championship Series MVP winner, and now, he's the MVP of the World Series.

Jeremy Peña's rookie year became one to remember for the Astros after having to replace an icon in Carlos Correa.

Peña is the first rookie to win the award since 1997, and third rookie overall. He's the first rookie position player to win it.

Additionally, the championship is finally in Dusty Baker's hands. At 73, he is now the oldest manager ever to win a World Series.

Yuli Gurriel unavailable

Astros' Yuli Gurriel, right, looks down after getting caught in a run down as third base coach Gary Pettis, left, comes by with his helmet on Nov. 3, 2022.
AP Photo/Chris Szagola

After Houston's first baseman awkwardly turned his right knee during a rundown in the Astros' Game 5 victory, Yuli Gurriel was taken out of the World Series roster.

Catcher Korey replaced Gurriel on the roster.

Trey Mancini, who made a defensive play in Game 5, took on first base for Gurriel. Catcher Christian Vazquez, who caught Game 4's combined no-hitter, was inserted in the lineup at designated hitter.

Check out this moment before Game 6 with George Strait and Dusty Baker:

When's the championship parade?

The Houston Astros celebrate their 4-1 World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Mayor Sylvester Turner is slated to announce details of the Astros World Series parade on Sunday at 2 p.m.

He will be joined by Houston Astros representatives, Houston Police, Houston Fire, METRO, FBI, DPS and other partners who will share information about the parade time, route, lineup and street closures.