THE HOUSTON ASTROS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS! Here are the big plays and moments everybody will be talking about
The biggest moments and plays from Game 7 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros.
The Houston Astros are World Series champions for the first time in their 56-year history as they beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7.
The Astros pounded Yu Darvish early, as they scored five runs in the first two innings and knocked Darvish out of the game. Clayton Kershaw came in and settled things down, pitching four scoreless innings, but it was too little, too late.
The big blow came from George Springer, who hit a two-run home run in the second inning to seemingly put the game away early. It was the fourth straight game in which Springer had homered.
At the other end, Charlie Morton pitched the final four innings of the game for the Astros, allowing one run, and retiring the final 11 batters he faced.
Below, we tracked the big plays and big scenes from the game. These are the moments everybody will be talking about on Thursday, and for years to come.
Newest moments are at the top. Keep coming back. We’ll be updating throughout the game.
As if there wasn’t enough pressure, they have the trophy on the field before Game 7.
play As if there wasn’t enough pressure, they have the trophy on the field before Game 7.
(USA Today Sports)
David Ortiz was 0-6 predicting the winner of the first six games of the World Series, so prior to Game 7 he refused to make a pick.
play David Ortiz was 0-6 predicting the winner of the first six games of the World Series, so prior to Game 7 he refused to make a pick.
(Fox)
The Astros came out in their orange alternate jerseys for the first time in the World Series.
play The Astros came out in their orange alternate jerseys for the first time in the World Series.
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Magic Johnson was caught not smiling before the game. That’s… unusual
play Magic Johnson was caught not smiling before the game. That’s… unusual
(Harry How/Getty Images)
Some Dodgers legends threw out the first pitch, with Don Newcombe and Sandy Koufax throwing to Steve Garvey and Rick Monday.
play Some Dodgers legends threw out the first pitch, with Don Newcombe and Sandy Koufax throwing to Steve Garvey and Rick Monday.
(Fox)
The Astros needed just two batters to take the lead with George Springer doubling to lead off and then scoring on the throwing error by Cody Bellinger. The Astros added a second run in the first inning on Jose Altuve’s groundout.
Yuli Gurriel tipped his helmet towards starting pitcher Yu Darvish prior to his first at bat after being caught making a “slant eyes” gesture the last time the two faced each other earlier in the series.
play Yuli Gurriel tipped his helmet towards starting pitcher Yu Darvish prior to his first at bat after being caught making a “slant eyes” gesture the last time the two faced each other earlier in the series.
(USA Today Sports)
In the bottom of the first, the Dodgers loaded the bases with a double and a pair of hit batters. But McCullers got out of it by getting Joc Pederson to ground out to second.
play In the bottom of the first, the Dodgers loaded the bases with a double and a pair of hit batters. But McCullers got out of it by getting Joc Pederson to ground out to second.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports)
After the Astros scored another run in the second inning, George Springer broke the game open with a 2-out, 2-run home run. It was the fourth straight game in which he had homered in the series.
And that was it for Darvish, who got pulled after just 1.2 innings, trailing 5-0.
play And that was it for Darvish, who got pulled after just 1.2 innings, trailing 5-0.
(Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Sports)
Astros fans packed Minute Maid Park back in Houston and went nuts in the second inning.
The Dodgers turned to Brandon Morrow out of the bullpen, but Clayton Kershaw started warming up.
play The Dodgers turned to Brandon Morrow out of the bullpen, but Clayton Kershaw started warming up.
(Fox)
Everything went right early on for the Astros. In the bottom of the second, Alex Bregman robbed Austin Barnes of a base hit.
In the third inning, it was Clayton Kershaw time, his first relief appearance since the NLDS in 2016.
play In the third inning, it was Clayton Kershaw time, his first relief appearance since the NLDS in 2016.
(Fox)
In the bottom of the third, Lance McCullers hit Justin Turner for the second time. It was the fourth hit batter of the game for McCullers. He would be pulled one batter later, still leading 5-0.
play In the bottom of the third, Lance McCullers hit Justin Turner for the second time. It was the fourth hit batter of the game for McCullers. He would be pulled one batter later, still leading 5-0.
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Yasiel Puig thought he had a 3-run home run in the third, but came up short and took out his frustration on his bat.
Kate Upton at the game wearing a jean jacket with Justin Verlander’s name on back.
play Kate Upton at the game wearing a jean jacket with Justin Verlander’s name on back.
(Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
After 13 of first 31 batters reached base (by both teams combined), pitchers settled down to retire nine in a row before a 2-out walk in the fifth for the Dodgers. But the Dodgers still trailed 5-0 into the 5th inning.
play After 13 of first 31 batters reached base (by both teams combined), pitchers settled down to retire nine in a row before a 2-out walk in the fifth for the Dodgers. But the Dodgers still trailed 5-0 into the 5th inning.
(Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Through five innings, the Dodgers have left eight runners on base, and hit into a double-play. Their win probability was all the way down to 3.3% to start the sixth inning.
play Through five innings, the Dodgers have left eight runners on base, and hit into a double-play. Their win probability was all the way down to 3.3% to start the sixth inning.
(Fangraphs)
Source: Fangraphs
Clayton Kershaw pitched four innings and did not allow a run. If Dave Roberts knew Kershaw was capable of that, he probably would have started.
play Clayton Kershaw pitched four innings and did not allow a run. If Dave Roberts knew Kershaw was capable of that, he probably would have started.
(Alex Gallardo/AP)
The Dodgers finally broke through in the sixth inning with an Andre Ethier pinch-hit, RBI single.
Charlie Morton held the Dodgers to just one run in the sixth inning, but was nearly impaled by a broken bat along the way.
Through 8 innings, the score is still 5-1 Astros. The story at this point has become the relief pitchers, with the two teams combining to use eight relievers.
play Through 8 innings, the score is still 5-1 Astros. The story at this point has become the relief pitchers, with the two teams combining to use eight relievers.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today Sports)
In the top of the ninth, Charlie Morton hit for himself even though he had already thrown three innings of relief. But at this point, he is going to get a chance to close out the World Series.
play In the top of the ninth, Charlie Morton hit for himself even though he had already thrown three innings of relief. But at this point, he is going to get a chance to close out the World Series.
(Fox)
Magic Johnson, still not smiling.
play Magic Johnson, still not smiling.
(Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Jose Altuve was dancing in the dugout.
And that’s it! Charlie Morton completed the 4-inning save and the Houston Astros are World Series champs for the first time in franchise history!
Carlos Correa had a great reaction to the final out.
George Spring was named World Series MVP.
play George Spring was named World Series MVP.
(Fox)
