Dodgers force Game 7
The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros 3-1 in Game 6 of the 2017 World Series, to force a Game 7. An RBI double by Chris Taylor tied the game in the sixth, and Corey Seager's sacrifice fly was the difference maker for the Dodgers. Joc Pederson's solo shot extended the Dodgers lead to 3-1.
The Astros got on the board in the top of the third, a two out solo shot by George Springer made it a 1-0 game.
For Springer it was his fourth homer of the series, making him the first player to hit four homers in the World Series since current Dodger Chase Utley did so in 2009 as a member of the Phillies.
For the second time in the series Dodgers starter Rich Hill failed to make it through five innings after pitching quite well. A leadoff single by Brian McCann and a double by Marwin Gonzalez put Hill in a jam, Hill was able to strikeout Josh Reddick and Verlander, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts chose to intentionally walk George Springer to load the bases for Alex Bregman. The intentional walk to Springer also marked the end of Hill's night 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 IBB, 5 Ks. Brandon Morrow entered the game for the Dodgers, giving him an appearance in every game of the World Series thus far. Morrow got Bregman to ground out to end the inning and escape the jam.
Verlander shut down the Dodgers through the first five innings, striking out eight batters and allowing only one baserunner, a single by Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers finally threatened Verlander in the sixth, a leadoff single by Austin Barnes and Chase Utley being hit on the foot by a pitch gave the Dodgers runners on first and second with no outs. Chris Taylor delivered a bloop double to right field to tie the game at 1-1. Corey Seager followed with a deep fly out to the just in front of the wall in right. The runners tagged up on the play to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. After Justin Turner fouled out for the second inning, Verlander was able to strike out Cody Bellinger to end the inning.
LHP Tony Watson who came in relief in the sixth remained in the game for the seventh and allowed a lead off walk to Reddick. RHP Kenta Maeda entered the game to face pinch hitter Even Gattis, who was batting for Verlander, which closed the books on Verlander's night at 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 HBP, 9 Ks. Gattis grounded into a fielders choice for the first out of the inning. Springer followed with a single just out of the reach of Seager. A sacrafice fly by Bregman advanced pinch runner Derek Fisher to third, brining up Jose Altuve who homered off of Maeda in Game 5. Altuve grounded out to end the inning and strand the tying run at third.
In the seventh RHP Brent Musgrove entered the game for the Astros, after Puig flied out for the first out in the inning, Joc Pederson stepped up to the plate, Pederson homered off Musgrove in Game 4, on the fourth pitch of the at bat, he got Musgrove again, this time an opposite field solo shot to extend the Dodgers lead to 3-1.
The Dodgers went to their closer Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning for a potential six out save, before the game Dodgers, Dave Roberts said the plan was to only use Jansen for three outs tonight.
Jansen quickly retired the Astros on a seven pitch 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the eighth, the Astros sent in RHP Luke Gregorson. Leadoff man Charlie Culberson, who was a defensive substitution for Utley at second base, led off the inning with a single to left. Taylor grounded into a fielders choice. After a strikeout to Seager, Gregorson surrendered a two out walk to Turner. The walk marked the end of the night Gregorson, LHP Francisco Liriano entered the game for his first appearance in the World Series. Liriano struck out Bellinger to strikeout to end the inning and send the game to the ninth.
Jansen returned to the mound in the ninth. Jansen got Gonzalez to fly out for the first out. He followed by striking out Reddick and pinch hitter Carlos Beltran, to force the winner take all Game 7.
Game 7 of the World Series is Wednesday night, for the first time ever, Dodger Stadium will host a World Series Game 7. The Astros will send Game 3 starter Lance McCullers to the mound, the Dodgers will send Yu Darvish with a chance to redeem himself after a brutal Game 3 start.
