Soler was in the lineup for the first-time since a positive COVID-19 testing. The Braves made Soler the first player to start a World Series with an home run.
The Braves won their first Series appearance since Chipper and his Big Three aces ascended to the top in 1999 thanks to a strong bullpen effort, Adam Duvall’s two-run homer, and Freddie Freeman’s late sacrifice fly.
Brian Snitker, Atlanta manager, stated that “so much happened so quickly.”
Every Braves starter got a hit, and four hours later, it was this scene: Joc Pederson, an outlandish outfielder, sipping red wine and smoking cigars alongside Will Smith.
The victory party lasted only a few minutes, until a security guard walked up and said that it was a smoke-free building.
Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, as well as the Astros, looked confused at the plate. This is their third World Series in five years — their first since 2017’s illegal sign-stealing scheme.
Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball Commissioner, stated that there were many sleuths watching the dugouts, clubshouses, and stands to prevent any shenanigans.
He said, “There are a lot more people monitoring what happens as a result the issues that have been had.”
Game 2 will be Wednesday night. Braves lefty Max Fried starts against Jose Urquidy, right-hander.
Dusty Baker, 72, said that you have to enjoy blowing this game off and then coming back to realize tomorrow’s — that is the beauty of baseball. “Tomorrow’s another, and who knows what tomorrow will bring? This is how I see it. Tomorrow Ball will bounce our way.”
Soler’s deft jolt into left-field seats on FramberValdez’s third pitch quickly took all the juice out Minute Maid Park and quieted a boisterous crowd.
Soler spoke through a translator, “The energy and excitement was incredible and electric, especially after taking a 1-0 lead following that home run.”
What about his feat?
He said, “I didn’t know that it was a thing until a little later in the game,”
The Braves were not satisfied with their win over the Dodgers, defending World Series champions, in the playoffs. They were aggressive in all aspects and kept up the fight against their long-standing National League rivals.
Soon after, Ozzie Albies stole base and Austin Riley scored an RBI double. This rare swing at a 3-1 pitch was also witnessed.
Soler missed five playoff games due to the coronavirus. He added an RBI grounder for the second. It was 5-0 when Duvall hit a two-run homer. The Braves now have more October history, being the only team to score in the first three innings of a World Series opener.
Duvall stated, “I think we probably swung them there early pretty well, but doing that on-the-road, kind of getting their first at bat jitters out the way, it is big.”
Braves batters weren’t the only ones making noise at that moment. The few Atlanta fans scattered in the seas of orange had also started their chop chant.
It looked like everything was going well for the Braves at that point.
Baseball can be unpredictable, and the fates of the game can change faster than any curveball.
Atlanta took its big hit in the third quarter.
Morton suddenly grimaced as he struck out Altuve and took an awkward step. Morton quickly left his teammates, Snitker, and a trainer behind, and was soon back on the mound.
Yuli Gurriel’s hard comebacker that hit Morton’s leg at first base and ricocheted off Freeman’s leg at second base to start the second was more damaging than anyone thought.
Amazingly, Morton continued to pitch for another inning before walking off with a fractured right femur. The roster will replace the 37-year old righty, who was the Astros’ winning pitcher in Game 7 of 2017 World Series. He is expected to be fine for spring training.
“God bless him. I hate it for his sake.” Snitker stated that he really hates it for him. He’s a great person, great friend and teammate. It’s a terrible thing for me to do. I know he really enjoys this run with us.
A.J. Minter took over for Morton and won the game, allowing one run in 2 1/3 innings while pitching a record 43 pitches. It was completed by Smith, Tyler Matzek, Luke Jackson and Tyler Matzek of Atlanta
The Astros and Altuve did very little throughout the night. Altuve, an All-Star second baseman, struck out three times. This was his third strike in as many postseason games.
The Astros were never threatened by Alex Bregman or Yordan Alvarez in the second innings. The Astros’ only runs came from shortstop Dansby Swanson’s fielding error in fourth and Correa’s groundout eighth.
The score was not as accurate as it seemed. It was more of a romp — in the seventh inning stretch, when fans sang along to “Deep In The Heart of Texas,” Braves backup catcher William Contreras and starter Travis d’Arnaud teamed up for a Texas two-step.
STATS AND STUFF
This was the first World Series game with a packed stadium since Game 7 in 2019. In 2019, a sold-out crowd filed out after the Nationals beat Houston. … Soler, Duvall were the first teammates to both be acquired midseason and homer in the same World Series match. … Soler made a late return to the NLCS, going 1 for 2 with a run and a double in a pair pinch-hit appearances. … The Astros were 0-4 in World Series openings. Since the Dodgers’ win in 2018 in Game 3, no team has won a World Series in their own park. Every game was won by the visiting team in 2019. Last year’s Series was played in Arlington, Texas at a neutral location.
UP NEXT
Braves: Fried failed in Game 5 at Dodger Stadium after two excellent playoff starts. Atlanta’s ace, Fried, gave up eight hits and five runs in just 4 1/3 innings.
Astros: Urquidy, who was tagged by Boston for six runs in 1 2/3 innings during Game 3 of the ALCS, was previously tagged by Boston. However, he has some postseason experience, having pitched five scoreless innings in his rookie start to beat Washington in Game 4, 2019 World Series.
