For much of the first six innings of game four of the World Series, it was looking more and more likely that the Houston Astros were going to even up the series at two games apiece. However, a pair of back-to-back home runs in the seventh helped put the Atlanta Braves one win away from their first World Series victory since 1995.
How It Happened
The Astros started the contest in an almost perfect situation with a leadoff single from Jose Altuve and after a pair of walks loaded the bases, Carlos Correa scratches a run across with a groundout to first. However, in a theme consistent with the team’s performance in the World Series they left a pair of runners in scoring position on base after Kyle Tucker struck out to end the inning.
Jose Altuve made it a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth with a one-out solo shot to center field. Things quickly turned sour in the bottom of the sixth after a poor performance from Brooks Raley who allowed a one-out double by Eddie Rosario followed by walking Freddie Freeman before being pulled for Phil Maton. The Braves got on the board with Austin Riley hitting a sharp single to left field, scoring Rosario in the process.
Atlanta turned the momentum into their favor in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run to right field by Dansby Swanson that landed just over the yellow line to tie things up at two runs apiece. Jorge Soler, one of the heroes of the game one victory hit his second homer of the series out to left field to take the lead for good
Big Number: 19
The Astros had just as many hits as the Braves, but just couldn’t cash in on their opportunities, leaving a whopping 19 batters on base. This has been the bane of the Astros during the World Series and it reared its ugly head on
Player of the Game: Austin Riley
The Braves have to thank Riley for stepping his game up and putting them on the board which was sort of the turning point of the contest.
Next Up: Game Five; First Pitch at 7:09