The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 in Game 5 of the MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Thursday to take a 3-2 lead in the series. They will play the following two games (if there is a Game 7) at home at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas.

The two teams exchanged two clean victories in the previous two games: The Phillies won 7-0 in Game 3 before the Astros claimed a 5-0 win in Game 4. Thursday's clash was the last home game for the Phillies during the World Series and they definitely wanted to go to Houston with a 3-2 lead instead of a deficit.

However, things didn't go in the Phillies' favor from the beginning as shortstop Jeremy Pena hit a single to center for second baseman Jose Altuve to score first for the Astros, who led 1-0 during the first inning.

"Rookie or not rookie, it doesn't matter," Pena said. "We're in the World Series. You just go out and play. Go compete and let the best man win."

Left fielder Kyle Schwarber immediately made his response hitting a 368-foot home run facing Justin Verlander in the bottom of the same inning. The Phillies tied the score 1-1, but they didn't score again in the following six innings.

Pena scored a homer for the Astros in the fourth inning, placing the team back on top 2-1. Then left fielder Yordan Alvarez grounded out during the eighth inning facing Seranthony Dominguez in the top of the eighth inning, but he sent Pena to second base and Altuve to the home plate. The Astros extended their lead to two runs (3-1) thanks to this play.

Second baseman Jean Segura kept the game alive by hitting a single to the right to help right fielder Nick Castellanos score, cutting the Phillies deficit to one run (3-2). The team still had players on the first and third bases after that play, but then Ryan Pressly struck out center fielder Brandon Marsh for the Astros before Trey Mancini snagged a hit by Schwarber over the first base to send the game to the ninth inning.

The Astros scored no run in the top of the ninth inning, but they made sure that the Phillies went through the same in the bottom. Pressly first struck out first baseman Rhys Hoskins with six pitches. Then catcher J. T. Realmuto's hit to the center was caught by center fielder Chas McCormick who was leaping high and caught the ball backhand.

Designated hitter Bryce Harper walked after he was hit by Pressly's fourth pitch to him, but he didn't move any further as Castellanos grounded out to Pena on 3-2.

Game 6 will be played on Saturday.