Astros-Dodgers World Series G2: In Real Life
The Astros outlasted the Dodgers in 11 innings, 7-6, in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The Series is now tied as it heads to Houston for three games. MLB.com was on the scene from Dodger Stadium.
• World Series Gm 3: Fri., 7:30 p.m. ET air time | 8 ET game time on FOX
12:29 a.m. ET: Astros win Game 2 slugfest
The Astros knotted the World Series presented by YouTube TV with a roller-coaster win, 7-6. The eight home runs combined were the most in a World Series game, and of the Dodgers' five hits, four were homers. Yu Darvish will start Game 3 on Friday for the Dodgers, while Lance McCullers takes the ball for Houston.
12:23 a.m. ET: Furious George
The Astros' potent offense strikes again. George Springer belted a two-run opposite-field homer off Brandon McCarthy to give the Astros a 7-5 lead in the 11th. McCarthy, who was the ninth pitcher used by the Dodgers, made his postseason debut and was pitching in a game for the first time since Oct. 1.
12:16 a.m. ET: Intense 10th inning
The Dodgers aren't going down without a fight. Yasiel Puig led off the bottom of the 10th with a solo shot, and with the Dodgers down to their last out, John Forsythe battled with Astros closer Ken Giles to draw a full-count walk. Enrique Hernandez delivered in the next at-bat with an RBI single to right field, tying things up at 5 and bringing the noise level back up inside Dodger Stadium.
11:42 p.m. ET: Astros surge ahead in 10th
Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa launched back-to-back home runs off Josh Fields to give the Astros a 5-3 advantage and silence the Dodger Stadium crowd. It's the first time a team has hit back-to-back home runs in extra innings in the World Series.
11:18 p.m. ET: Marwin quiets LA
Marwin Gonzalez led off the ninth inning with a homer off Kenley Jansen, tying the game at 3 and giving the Astros new life. It was the first earned run that Jansen allowed this postseason.
11:02 p.m. ET: Astros crack LA's bullpen
The Dodgers called on their All-Star closer earlier than normal after Alex Bregman dropped a double into right field in the eighth, as Dave Roberts brought in Kenley Jansen for a potential six-out save. Jansen allowed a one-out single to Carlos Correa, which ended the Dodgers' bullpen scoreless streak at 28 innings. But the right-hander limited the damage to hold the Dodgers' lead at 3-2 and bring them three outs away from a Game 2 win.
10:38 p.m. ET: Dodgers' relief streak
The Dodgers' bullpen faced some trouble in the seventh inning after Thomas Stripling issued a leadoff walk on four pitches to Marwin Gonzalez. But the Dodgers called on Brandon Morrow, who got Josh Reddick to ground into a double play. The right-hander gave up a single to Evan Gattis but induced a groundout from George Springer to end the frame and preserve Los Angeles' 3-1 lead. The Dodgers' bullpen continues to be lights-out this postseason, extending its scoreless streak to 28 straight innings.
10:16 p.m. ET: Dodgers deja vu
For the second straight game, the Dodgers took a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning with two outs on a two-run homer. In Game 2, it was Corey Seager who got the sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium on its feet. Seager, who was left off the Dodgers' National League Championship Series roster with a back injury, hit his first postseason homer since Game 2 of the 2016 NL Division Series. Seager also became the youngest Dodger to homer in a World Series game since Pete Reiser in 1941. Both hits tonight off Justin Verlander -- who was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the seventh -- were home runs.
9:52 p.m. ET: Joc rocks Dodger Stadium
With one swing, Joc Pederson ended Justin Verlander's no-hitter and shutout with two-out homer in the fifth inning, tying the game at 1. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he started Pederson in left field because of his defense and his ability to handle velocity. Roberts' decision was vindicated after Pederson connected on his first home run since July 26.
More >
9:29 p.m. ET: Hill goes 4, Verlander cruising
The Dodgers pulled Rich Hill after four innings of one-run ball, finishing with seven strikeouts on 60 pitches. Righty Kenta Maeda checked in, with five straight right-handed hitters coming up in the Astros' lineup. Meanwhile, Houston ace Justin Verlander faced the minimum through four innings and hadn't allowed a hit, but the Dodgers got their first baserunner of the evening with Chris Taylor drawing an eight-pitch walk. Corey Seager grounded into a fielder's choice and Justin Turner hit into a double play to end the fourth with the Astros' 1-0 lead intact.
8:59 p.m. ET: Astros take 1-0 lead in the 3rd
Alex Bregman, like in Game 1, drove in the first run of the game for the Astros with a one-out RBI single to center off Hill. It's the first time the Astros have scored in the first three innings of a postseason game since the American League Division Series. And it was only the second run the Dodgers allowed this postseason that was not the result of a home run. Hill bounced back to whiff Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.
8:28 p.m. ET: Vin-sanity opens Game 2
After Dodgers broadcasting legend Vin Scully delivered the ceremonial first pitch with the assistance of Fernando Valenzuela, Game 2 of the World Series was ready to get underway. Lefty Rich Hill walked Astros leadoff man George Springer on seven pitches to begin the game, but Hill bounced back to retire the side in a scoreless inning.
7:40 p.m. ET: Let the ROY awards roll in
On Tuesday, Cody Bellinger was announced as The Sporting News' Rookie of the Year. He established a National League rookie home run record (third all-time) with 39 homers. The Dodgers went 91-41 in games in which Bellinger appeared after his April 25 callup.
7:05 p.m. ET: Many Hanks
Giancarlo Stanton and Jose Altuve, the National League and American League winners, respectively, of the Hank Aaron Award for offensive excellence, receive their trophies from the man himself. More >
6:58 p.m. ET: Slice of life in L.A.
It wouldn't be a Dodgers home game without celebrities! "Machete" star Danny Trejo is on hand for Game 2.
6:48 p.m. ET: Staying grounded
The young stars from the left side of the Astros' infield -- Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa -- take grounders before Game 2.
6:46 p.m. ET: HOU are you?
A small but mighty crew of Astros fans poses at Dodger Stadium before Game 2, including several season-ticket holders who have traveled to most of not all postseason games.
6:30 p.m. ET: George-ous
George Springer will be looking to break out at the plate after a quiet ALCS, but the tough stretch hasn't affected his innate good nature.
6:26 p.m. ET: Turner or young Santa?
That beard really filled out overnight.
• Meet the Dodgers fan in a Justin Turner costume
6:24 p.m. ET: New York state of mind
Former Yankees World Series champion teammates Clay Bellinger -- yes, that's Cody's dad -- and Jeff Nelson catch up before Game 2.
6:14 p.m. ET: Battery compatible
Astros catcher Brian McCann and Verlander got on the same page from the get-go: The ace has a 1.23 ERA with McCann behind the plate over 58 2/3 innings between the regular season and postseason.
6:05 p.m. ET: Here comes Houston
The Astros make their first appearances of the afternoon as they take the field for batting practice before Game 2.
6:03 p.m. ET: To be a top 2B
Marlins star Dee Gordon interviews Houston's Jose Altuve in a meeting of two of the best second basemen in the game.
5:54 p.m. ET: 10/10 would homer again
5:48 p.m. ET: Between two champs
Dodgers standout shortstop Corey Seager hopes to join the ranks of World Series winners that include interviewers Mark Teixeira and David Ross.
5:31 p.m. ET: Utmost Utley
Chase Utley will see his first World Series action since 2009 when he starts at second base for L.A. tonight.
5:26 p.m. ET: Room with a view
This beautiful shot of the L.A. skyline doesn't show it, but it seems everyone in the city is wearing their Dodgers gear today.
5:21 p.m. ET: ClaytonCon
In a World Series full of stars, perhaps none shines brighter than Clayton Kershaw. Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon caught up with his former teammate before settling in for an interview, and Game 2 anthem performer and country star Brad Paisley interrupted his guitar tune-up to meet Kershaw behind the batting cage.
5:19 p.m. ET: Bats, man
Game 1 hero and overall slugging machine Justin Turner talks about his favorite bats before Game 2.
5:03 p.m. ET: Clutch quartet
Four of the biggest reasons for the Dodgers' success chat on the field during warmups before Game 2.
4:25 p.m. ET: Dome, sweet dome
The sign outside the visitors' clubhouse at Dodger Stadium features a vintage Astros logo that harkens back to their old home, the Astrodome.
4:20 p.m. ET: Houston names Game 3, 4 starters
The Astros' dynamic duo from their Game 7 shutout in the ALCS -- Charlie Morton and Lance McCullers Jr. -- will each get a start in the World Series: McCullers will start Game 3 and Morton gets the call in Game 4. More >
4:15 p.m. E: Astros announce Game 2 lineup
Moments after the Dodgers named their starting nine, Houston manager A.J. Hinch unveiled his Game 2 lineup, which is unchanged from Game 1. More >
4:11 p.m. ET: Dodgers set Game 2 lineup
Manager Dave Roberts will have left-handed hitters Joc Pederson and Chase Utley -- who were on the bench for Game 1 -- start at left field and second base, respectively, against righty ace Justin Verlander.
3:46 p.m. ET: Can't stop Clayton
Los Angeles' 99-degree heat won't get in the way of Game 1 winner Clayton Kershaw's routine.
3:05 p.m. ET: Baseball brotherhood
Commissioner Rob Manfred was among those who packed supply and comfort kits to help Northern California wildfire survivors on Wednesday morning. While he was at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Los Angeles Challengers Clubhouse, he was asked what it means to have two Fall Classic teams with at least 100 wins in the regular season.
"It's just an outstanding matchup for us," Manfred said. "I think it's one of those years where the general consensus is, we got the two best teams, and we're looking forward to a great World Series."
Nomar Garciaparra, the Dodgers and Red Sox legend, also was at the event and added:
"I'm actually kind of glad that these two teams made it. Obviously the Indians had a better record overall, but they got hot there toward the end. Houston, for the most part, you look at over the length of the season, was the better team in the American League. I wanted to see that in the World Series. A lot of times -- and I'm not saying it's bad -- you get that hot team that's there, as opposed to that best team over 162 games. I think we have two of the best teams over 162 games. So that's what I'm excited about."
2:58 p.m. ET: Baby blue
Yasiel Puig showed up for Game 1 on Tuesday with an impressive blue hairdo, and his adorable son, Daniel Sebastian, got in on the act on Wednesday, getting a mini version of his dad's look for Game 2. More >
2:15 p.m. ET: Pod squad
Can't get enough Fall Classic news and analysis? The Morning Lineup podcast -- hosted by MLB.com columnists Richard Justice and Anthony Castrovince and released daily during the World Series -- has you covered. Listen to today's episode, as Justice, Castrovince and a special guest break down L.A.'s Game 1 win and Justin Verlander and the Astros' chances in Game 2. More >