The Houston Astros defeated the Atlanta Braves 9-5 on Sunday night to move closer in the 2021 World Series, which they still trail 3-2.
However, the next two games will be played in Houston.
Atlanta has the power of rendering Game 7 moot with a win on Tuesday in Game 6, but it won’t be easy against an Astros team that has shown resilience in the past and doesn’t want to lose in front of their fans.
In fact, the Braves had a prime chance to close things out on Sunday, but blew it, and now will have to win one more game on the road to secure their first World Series championship since 1995.
Against a shaky Framber Valdez in the first inning, the Braves found themselves batting with bases loaded and two outs.
That’s when Adam Duvall, one of the team’s trade deadline acquisitions, came through with a huge grand slam to right field.
A GRAND START FOR THE BRAVES. pic.twitter.com/hoM6BRpo4N
— MLB (@MLB) November 1, 2021
Blowing A 4-0 Lead
At that moment, it appeared that Atlanta wouldn’t relinquish their 4-0 lead to open Game 5.
But things didn’t work out that way, and they may end up regretting not being able to hold on to that lead.
Before Duvall’s slam, Atlanta starter Tucker Davidson retired the first inning with no real issues.
The second inning, however, was the start of the debacle.
After getting Yordan Alvarez to fly out, Davidson allowed a single, a walk, a double, and a sacrifice fly to Houston’s hitters, and the game was 4-2 in the blink of an eye.
By the next inning, the game would be tied at four, although it wasn’t entirely Davidson’s fault.
A fielding error by Braves’ shortstop Dansby Swanson put Jose Altuve on the basepaths instead of scoring the first out of the inning.
After walking Michael Brantley, Braves’ manager Brian Snitker decided to pull Davidson.
Chavez promptly allowed a run-scoring double to Carlos Correa, and, after another Alvarez’s fly out, Brantley would score on a slow grounder by Yuli Gurriel.
Freddie Freeman belted a long home run to put the Braves back on top 5-4 in the bottom of the third, but the bullpen wasn’t able to limit Houston’s hitters.
Five Unanswered Runs
Since the Freeman home run, the Astros would score five unanswered runs.
Largest comeback wins when facing elimination, World Series history:
2002 Angels Game 6, trailed by 5 (vs Dusty Baker's Giants)*
2021 Astros Game 5, trailed by 4
1925 Pirates Game 7, trailed by 4*
1919 White Sox Game 6, trailed by 4*won series
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 1, 2021
Perhaps Snitker shouldn’t have started Davidson after such a long layoff, but his options were definitely limited and the Braves’ bullpen has pitched a lot of innings in the postseason and the World Series.
Perhaps he should have taken him out in the second inning, when he allowed two runs.
In any case, the damage is done at this point, and Atlanta let a golden opportunity to close out the series without having to travel back to Houston pass by.
Only time will tell if they will come back to regret some of the decisions made before and during Game 5.
For now, both teams will rest on Monday, which comes in handy as they both try to recharge batteries and rest some crucial bullpen arms.
Given how strong Houston usually is while playing at home, the Braves may have been better off putting all their chips on Game 5.
NEXT: Braves Relying On Eddie Rosario To Regain NLCS Form