Shortstop Jeremy Pena (C) of the Houston Astros celebrates with the Commissioner's Trophy after his team beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 of the MLB World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, November 5, 2022. /CFP
The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in Game 6 of the MLB World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas on Saturday, winning the series 4-2 to add the second championship trophy to their honor list.
Twenty-four-year-old rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena was named the World Series Most Valuable Player, becoming the third player in any position in the major league history to earn that honor in his first year. Both of the other two were pitchers: Larry Sherry of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959 and Livan Hernandez of the Florida Marlins (today's Miami Marlins) in 1997.
Unlike the previous five games, neither side scored any run in the first five innings. In fact, such offensive struggling has been bothering the Phillies since their 7-0 win at home in Game 3. The team scored only two runs in the following two games and lost both.
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber (left in the back) of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run during the sixth inning in Game 6 of the MLB World Series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, November 5, 2022. /CFP
Left fielder Kyle Schwarber stood out for the Phillies in the top of the sixth inning. Having faced Framber Valdez, Schwarber hit a 395-feet home run at 2-2, helping his team lead 1-0 in this win-or-go-home game.
However, the Phillies' excitement didn't last long. Both first baseman Rhys Hoskins and J. T. Realmuto grounded out with no more than three pitches. Designated hitter Bryce Harper then struck out swinging on the fourth throw.
The Astros immediately launched a counterstrike when it was their turn to hit in the sixth inning. Catcher Martin Maldonado was hit by Zack Wheeler, walking to the first base. Then second baseman Jose Altuve grounded out by choice, but sending Maldonado to second. Pena hit to the center field to reach the first base while Maldonado ran to third.
Left fielder Yordan Alvarez (L) of the Houston Astros hits a three-run homer during the sixth inning in Game 6 of the MLB World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at the Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, November 5, 2022. /CFP
With two teammates on the bases, left fielder Yordan Alvarez homered 450 feet to the center field, putting the Astros on the leading position 3-1. Furthermore, the team's attack didn't end there. Third baseman Alex Bregman first walked on four balls by Jose Alvarado, who then sent him to the second base with a wild pitch. Though the Phillies replaced Alvarado with Seranthony Dominguez on the mound immediately, his sinker was hit to left by designated hitter Christian Vazquez for Bregman to score and extend the Astros' lead to three runs (4-1).
Having exchanged two scoreless innings, the game went the top of the ninth inning, which was the Phillies last chance to keep the series alive. Nonetheless, only Realmuto singled to the center field to step onto the (first) base. Hoskins and Harper flied out and right fielder Nick Castellanos fouled out, watching the Astros seal the victory at home in six games.