For the first time in his career, Justin Verlander has a World Series win.
Verlander threw five innings and allowed just one run as the Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies by a final of 3-2 and moved to within one win of capturing yet another title.
Verlander also struck out six and allowed just four hits.
Heading into Game 5, Verlander was 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in World Series play dating back to Game 1 of the 2006 World Series, when he was a rookie with the Detroit Tigers.
He had gone eight straight starts in the World Series without a win.
Fortunately, for him and the Astros, that streak ended in Game 5.
Justin Verlander had gone eight straight World Series starts without a win.
That streak ended tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/z9QCyPozYd
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 4, 2022
JV Ends Ominous Streak
Verlander has always been a big-game pitcher, but the World Series had proven to be a struggle for the veteran right-hander.
The 39-year-old went five innings in Game 1, allowing five runs on six hits and surrendering the 5-0 lead that the Astros offense had given him.
But in Game 5, the script was flipped and Verlander was at his best.
Following his five innings of work, former Phillie Hector Neris, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero, and Ryan Pressly pitched the final four frames, respectively and allowed just one run as the Astros held on to win and took a 3-2 series lead heading back to Houston.
In Game 6, the Astros will send Framber Valdez to the mound in hopes of securing another title.
The Phillies will counter with their ace Zack Wheeler as they try to stay alive and force a Game 7 on Sunday.
NEXT: Chas McCormick Made A Catch For The Ages In Game 5