Led by starter Cristian Javier, the Houston Astros recorded the second no-hitter in World Series history. Javier and his three relief pitchers combined to beat Philadelphia 5-0 in Game 4 on Wednesday night, pulling Houston away in the series as well, in historic fashion.
The combined no-no joins Don Larsen’s perfect game for the 1956 New York Yankees in World Series lore. This is his third postseason no-hitter, and it’s in the same ballpark as the second: Roy Halladay’s his NLDS no-no with the Phillies in 2010.
Javier, the 25-year-old Astros starting pitcher, went no-hit for six innings, stole nine, and walked two to help Houston calm the Philadelphia crowd and rebound from a rough Game 3. rice field. After 97 pitches, manager Dusty Baker shook hands and turned to the bullpen. Brian Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressley each pitched an inning to close out. retired.
Cristian Javier Takes Star Turn on World Series Stage
Javier caps off his first full season as a major league starter by taking the record as creator of the longest no-hitter World Series start outside of Larsen’s perfect.
he eclipse Atlanta Braves Ian Anderson pitched five innings without allowing a hit against the Astros in Game 3 of the 2021 World Series. The Braves’ bullpen eventually allowed the first hit to lead in the eighth.
This was no fluke either. Javier allowed the lowest batting average of any starting pitcher in baseball in the second half as he threw seven clean frames to start a no-hitter against the Yankees earlier this season.
The Phillies were also victims of a no-hitter earlier in the year, going hitless against the New York Mets in April.
Coming out of a big breakout that established him as a bona fide starter, Javier was nicknamed “El Reptil” (The Reptilian) because early in his career coaches saw him as cold-blooded. After the game, Javier told Ken Rosenthal that his parents promised him he would throw the hitter.
He tamed the Phillies — gunning down Lance McCullers Jr. in last night’s Game 3 win — mostly with his fastball. He hits it high in the zone, making it feel like it’s rising. Then he plays it with a biting slider and the occasional curveball. Of Javier’s 97 pitches in Game 4, 70 were fastballs.
And that may not be the last time we see him.
Behind the plate, Christian Vazquez made his second postseason start as a catcher for the Astros and first since ALCS Game 3. An exclusive club backstopped by World Series no-hitter Yogi Berra.
Astros confirm World Series ends in Houston.
All of Houston’s runs came in the fifth inning. They trailed Phillies starter Aaron Nola with his triple. When Phillies relief star Jose Alvarado came in, he plunged Jordan Alvarez to drive in the first run, followed by Alex Bregman with a two-RBI double.
The Astros’ victory ensures the series returns to Houston, requiring at least six games to clinch the championship. It was the Fall Classic in Arlington, Texas, the neutral site for 2020.
However, Game 5 will still be held in Philadelphia.
The Phillies struck a defiant tone after a no-no, saying they were turning the page. He told reporters, “I don’t really say ***. I think we’re in the history books.”
In Game 5, Astros ace Justin Verlander faces Phillies’ Noah Syndergaard. He will start on FOX Thursday night at 8pm ET.
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