PHILADELPHIA -- The stakes weren’t nearly as high as the last time he toed the rubber at Citizens Bank Park, but Cristian Javier looked as comfortable Thursday as he did during his combined no-hitter against the Phillies here in the 2022 World Series.
Making his first start in Philadelphia since twirling six no-hit innings in Game 4 of that World Series gem, Javier carried a no-hitter into the fifth before the Phillies finally got to him. The right-hander still delivered his best start of the season on the same field that saw him post the best -- and most memorable -- start of his career.
Javier’s six innings of one-run ball helped counter Phillies ace Zack Wheeler, who threw seven strong innings of his own.
Cam Smith proved to be the hero of the day, drilling a solo home run against All-Star closer Jhoan Duran in the ninth to snap a tie score and lift the Astros to a 2-1 victory and a series win.
“It felt like the playoffs,” Smith said. “Especially with this atmosphere, they had like 40,000 people here all week. It was really fun to play here against a good team like that. I think it brings that competitive nature out of all of us. We all want to play in this environment.”
During the team’s bus ride to the ballpark on Tuesday, catcher Christian Vázquez reminded Javier of his remarkable World Series outing in Philly, sparking positive memories in the pitcher’s head as he prepared for Thursday’s start.
Manager Joe Espada also couldn’t help but think back to Javier’s historic outing four autumns ago, even joking (?) about a repeat performance.
“I remember the last time he pitched here,” Espada said before the game. “It would be great if he can go out there and duplicate that.”
Espada wasn’t actually expecting Javier -- fresh off a five-inning, one-run, eight-strikeout game against Arizona -- to throw a no-hitter against the Phillies’ powerful lineup. But with five players from Philadelphia’s World Series team still there on Thursday, Espada hoped that Javier would use the memory of that night to inspire him.
“I'm thinking about it -- and he should,” Espada said. “When you're in an environment where you have had success, it brings the best out of you. I could see Javi going out there with full confidence, throwing the ball well and giving us a chance to win.”
After walking Kyle Schwarber to open the home half of the first inning, Javier moved through the Phillies' lineup like a hot knife through butter, not allowing another baserunner through the fourth while facing the minimum 12 batters.
“I started getting excited,” Espada said. “I started thinking about it and I probably jinxed it.”
Espada might have been thinking about it, but did Javier realize at that point that he had picked up right where he left off on that November 2022 night?
“No,” Javier said through an interpreter. “I was just trying to compete and get the outs as fast as possible.”
Pitching with a 1-0 lead thanks to Taylor Trammell’s second-inning RBI double against Wheeler, Javier finally allowed his first hit in the fifth, a leadoff single by Luis Arraez. Alec Bohm followed with a double, putting Javier in a jam with runners at second and third. Suddenly the lead was in jeopardy, which was far more important than any no-hitter as the Astros continue to battle for their postseason life.
Arraez scored on a fielder’s choice by Bryson Stott, but Javier limited the damage there, getting Brandon Marsh to ground into a 3-6-3-6 double play, preserving the 1-1 tie.
Javier held serve with Wheeler through the sixth, allowing one run on three hits and a walk, only the second time this season he’s gone that deep in a game. He finished strong, striking out three straight hitters to end his day -- including Schwarber and Trea Turner -- as Espada let him face the top of the lineup for a third time.
“He just feels good because he's executing,” Espada said. “The level of confidence in between innings, when he's downstairs and he's talking, the tone is different. He's really believing in the stuff right now.”
Javier didn’t earn the win Thursday, but after posting a 5.79 ERA in five August outings, the righty now owns a 1.64 ERA in two September starts (two runs in 11 innings). As they continue to try holding off the Rangers (72-75) in the AL West, the Astros (75-72) could use a big month from Javier.
“He gets better and better every outing he goes out there,” Espada said. “Really nice to see him just do that, because we know how good he is when he's on and he executes all the pitches.”