Where to get started with this one? Simply, just getting started will help. The Washington Nationals appear on a collision course with destiny. Furthermore, they defeated the Houston Astros in Houston by a 7-2 score in game six of the World Series.
Now, a champion will be crowned in an illustrious game seven that features a suddenly-healthy Max Scherzer; and a bottomless betting pool of funds on the line for Mattress Mack. Obviously, something has to give.
However, how did we get here? The Astros held a 2-1 lead when Adam Eaton homered off Justin Verlander to tie the game. Then a few hitters later, Juan Soto hit his third home run of the series to give Washington a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Juan Soto is the youngest player ever to hit 3 HR in a single #WorldSeries. pic.twitter.com/c7TabF8POA
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 30, 2019
Of course, Soto is the youngest player to hit three home runs in a single World Series. Remember, we told you Soto-mania was upon us all.
Still, that big home run off Verlander wasn’t the only fireworks in this game. Before that, Alex Bregman homered to put Houston up 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning. He carried the bat with him down the first base line and handed it to his first base coach. Therefore, Soto’s blast had retaliation if you take a look at it again.
Then, the controversial call happened. Homeplate umpire Sam Holbrook got on the phone with New York after calling out Trea Turner at first base. Simply all Turner was doing was running in the baseline as he was supposed to.
Next, Nationals manager Davey Martinez was tossed in between innings following the play. However, what we aren’t mentioning is Anthony Rendon made it all a somewhat moot point by hitting a dramatic two-run home run to put Washington ahead 5-2.
Dave Martinez had plenty to say to the umps after Trea Turner was called out at first
(via @MLBONFOX) pic.twitter.com/XKoaI2hXcN
— SI MLB (@si_mlb) October 30, 2019
Notably, Martinez became the first manager to be ejected from a World Series game since good old Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves in 1996. And you can hardly blame him.
Following the game, Joe Torre joined Ken Rosenthal to explain why Turner wasn’t called out. He stuttered through his answer when trying to explain why the play was ruled the way it was.
“Well, he was called out because he ran; there’s a 45-foot restraining line where you’re supposed to run in between those lines….. he ran to first base…. that wasn’t the call. The call was the fact he interfered with Gurriel trying to field the ball. So Sam Holbrook called him out. You can’t review a judgement call. If interference is called it’s uh, not reviewable.”
Truly, Torre struggled to explain his answer. Check it out.
MLB's chief baseball officer, Joe Torre, explains all aspects of Trea Turner's controversial runner interference call to @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/SEJDUuwRB7
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 30, 2019
Here is that play for your eyes, just in case you didn’t see it.
Calling Trea Turner out for running inside bag. Horseshit. pic.twitter.com/vAB5tgUFIJ
— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) October 30, 2019
Finally, check out this bit of history.
Sports (mostly baseball) always finding a way to out-do itself. pic.twitter.com/vYXGIHjjqX
— Clint (@DiamondHoggers) October 30, 2019
Across the four major sports, the 2019 World Series is the first postseason series of 1,420 with the road team winning the first six games of the series. That, is absolutely unbelievable.
Now, catch your breath and get your sleep. A deciding game seven is on the way.
