Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball: 2021 World Series Game 1-Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros

World Series Game 1: Atlanta Braves at Houston Astros

Hello, and welcome to a special edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is Game 1 of the 2021 World Series, between Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros.

Braves have returned to the World Series, for the first time since 1999. They went through a struggling 1st Half, a season-ending injury to Ronald Acuna, Junior. But in the 2nd Half, they pulled away from the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, to win National
League East.

For the Astros, they were playing well, most of the season. And they crushed the pitching staffs of the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox, in the Postseason. However, they will be without their ace starting pitcher Lance McCullers, Junior (Right Forearm).


Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are right-hander for the Braves. And left-hander Framber Valdez for the Astros. Morton comes in with a strikeout/walk ratio of 2.38, 4.03 pitches/plate appearance, and 1.56 groundout/airout. As for Valdez, he comes in with a K/BB ratio of 2.60, 3.59 P/PA, and 3.50 GO/AO.

It is Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros in Game 1 of the 2021 World Series, coming up shortly.


Starting Lineups:

Atlanta Braves:
1. Jorge Soler, DH
2. Freddie Freeman, 1B
3. Ozzie Albies, 2B
4. Austin Riley, 3B
5. Eddie Rosario, LF
6. Adam Duvall, CF
7. Travis d’Arnaud, C
8. Joc Pederson, RF
9. Dansby Swanson, SS

Houston Astros:
1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Michael Brantley, LF
3. Alex Bregman, 3B
4. Yordan Alvarez, DH
5. Carlos Correa, SS
6. Kyle Tucker, RF
7. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
8. Chas McComerick, CF
9. Martin Maldonado, C

Braves are in their alternate navy jerseys, caps, and gray pants. While the Astros are in their home white uniforms, with navy caps.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Soler
2. Freeman
3. Albies
Framber Valdez (LHP) now starting as Houston Astros Pitcher.
First Pitch around 7:11 pm CDT.
HOME RUN: Soler hits a lead-off home run off Framber Valdez. ATL 1, HOU 0
Freeman grounds out to Altuve. 1 out.
Albies hits an infield single to infield grass. Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Riley at-bat, Albies steals 2nd Base. Runner on 2nd.
RBI-DOUBLE: Riley hits an RBI-Double to center field. Albies scores. ATL 2, HOU 0
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: ATL 5, HOU 4
Rosario strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
​Duvall strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Braves scored 2 runs, including a solo homer by Jorge Soler.

Middle of 1st Inning:
ATL 2, HOU 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve
2. Brantley
3. Bregman
Charlie Morton (RHP) now starting as Braves Pitcher.
Altuve gets called out on strikes. 1 out.
Brantley singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Bregman grounds out to Freeman. Freeman to Morton on the putout. 2 outs.
Alvarez draws a 2-out walk. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Correa gets hit by a pitch. Bases Loaded.
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: ATL 4, HOU 4
Tucker grounds out to Albies. 3 outs.
Astros strand the bases loaded.

End of 1st Inning:
ATL 2, HOU 0

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up;
7. d'Arnaud
8. Pederson
9. Swanson
Valdez currently at 21 pitches.
d'Arnaud singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Pederson singles to left field. d'Arnaud advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Swanson flies out to McComerick. d'Arnaud and Pederson move 90 feet. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Soler reaches on a 6-5 fielder's choice. Pederson is out on the rundown. d'Arnaud scores. 2 outs. Runner on 1st. ATL 3, HOU 0
Freeman draws a 2-out walk. Soler advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Albies hits a bases loaded infield single to second base.
Riley strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Braves strand the bases loaded. 

Middle of 2nd Inning:
ATL 3, HOU 0

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Gurriel
8. McComerick
9. Maldonado
Morton currently at 26 pitches.
Gurriel grounds out to Morton (2 pitches). 1 out.
McComerick strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Maldonado lines out to Freeman (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.


End of 2nd Inning:
ATL 3, HOU 0

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
5. Rosario, 0-1
6. Duvall, 0-1
7. d'Arnaud, 1-1
Valdez currently at 44 pitches.
Rosario singles to right field (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: ATL 4, HOU 3
Yimi Garcia (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
HOME RUN: Adam Duvall hits a 2-run homer off Framber Valdez (2 pitches). ATL 5, HOU 0
PITCHING CHANGE: Yimi Garcia (RHP) replaces Framber Valdez, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
​Jake Odorizzi (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
d'Arnaud gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 1 out.
Pederson flies out to Tucker (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Swanson strikes out on a foul tip caught by Maldonado (8 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves scored 2 runs, in their half of 3rd Inning.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 0

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve, 0-1
2. Brantley, 1-1
3. Bregman, 0-1
Morton currently at 38 pitches.
​Altuve gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 1 out.
Charlie Morton has to leave the game, with a possible leg injury. 
PITCHING CHANGE: A.J. Minter (LHP) replaces Charlie Morton, as Braves Pitcher. 1 out. ATL 5, HOU 0
​Brantley doubles to right field line (4 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Bregman grounds out to Riley (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Alvarez strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner. 

End of 3rd Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 0

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Soler, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
2. Freeman, 0-1
3. Albies, 2-2
​Jake Odorizzi (RHP) replaces Yimi Garcia, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
Soler strikes out swinging (10 pitches). 1 out.
Freeman gets called out on strikes (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Albies reaches on a fielding error by Gurriel (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
Riley strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.

Middle of 4th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 0

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Correa, HBP
6. Tucker, 0-1
7. Gurriel, 0-1
Minter currently at 12 pitches.
Correa grounds out to Albies (4 pitches). 1 out.
Tucker doubles to right field (1 pitch). Runner on 2nd. 
Gurriel singles to left field (3 pitches). Tucker advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
McComerick reaches on a fielding error by Swanson (3 pitches). Tucker scores. Gurriel advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. ATL 5, HOU 1
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: ATL 3, HOU 3
Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Maldonado strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Altuve flies out to Minter (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros get a run, but strand a pair of base runners.

End of 4th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 1

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Rosario, 1-2
6. Duvall, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
7. d'Arnaud, 1-2
Odorizzi currently at 20 pitches.
​Rosario grounds out to Altuve (3 pitches). 1 out.
Ken Rosenthal reporting Charlie Morton has a fractured fibula.
Duvall gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 2 outs.
d'Arnaud gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.


Middle of 5th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 1

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Brantley, 2-2
3. Bregman, 0-2
4. Alvarez, 0-1
Minter currently at 27 pitches.
Luke Jackson (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Brantley flies out to Rosario (7 pitches). 1 out.
Bregman gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Alvarez flies out to Duvall (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.

End of 5th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 1

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Pederson, 1-2
9. Swanson, 0-2
1. Soler, 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
​Odorizzi currently at 34 pitches.
Pederson flies out to Tucker (2 pitches). 1 out.
Swanson singles to left field (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: ATL 3, HOU 2
Phil Maton (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
PITCHING CHANGE: Phil Maton (RHP) replaces Jake Odorizzi, as Houston Astros Pitcher. Runner on 1st. ATL 5, HOU 1
​Soler gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Freeman singles to third base (2 pitches). Swanson advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Albies grounds out to Bregman (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 6th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 1

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Correa, 0-1
6. Tucker, 1-2
7. Gurriel, 1-2
​PITCHING CHANGE: Luke Jackson (RHP) replaces A.J. Minter, as Braves Pitcher.
Correa strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 1 out.
Tucker singles to center field (1 pitch). Runner on 1st.
Gurriel grounds out to Albies (1 pitch). Tucker advances to 2nd. Runner on 2nd. 2 outs.
McComerick strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

End of 6th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 1

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Riley, 1-3, RBI
5. Rosario, 1-3
6. Duvall, 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
​Maton currently at 9 pitches.
Riley strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 1 out.
Rosario doubles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
Ryne Stanek (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Duvall draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Blake Taylor (LHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryne Stanek (RHP) replaces Phil Maton, as Astros Pitcher. Runners on 1st & 2nd. 1 out. ATL 5, HOU 1
DOUBLE PLAY: ​d'Arnaud grounds into 6-4-3 double play (7 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.

Middle of 7th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 1

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due UP:
9. Maldonado?
1. Altuve, 0-3
2. Brantley, 2-3
​Jackson currently at 10 pitches.
PINCH-HITTING: Jason Castro pinch-hitting for Martin Maldonado.
Tyler Matzek (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Castro grounds out to Freeman, unassisted (3 pitches). 1 out.
Altuve strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 2 outs.
PITCHING CHANGE: Tyler Matzek (LHP) replaces Luke Jackson, as Braves Pitcher. 2 outs. ATL 5, HOU 1
​Brantley hits a 2-out single to left field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Bregman gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

End of 7th Inning:
ATL 5, HOU 1

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Pederson, 1-3
9. Swanson, 1-3
1. Soler, 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
​Stanek currently at 7 pitches.
Pederson grounds out to Altuve (4 pitches). 1 out.
Swanson draws a base on balls (8 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Soler hits an infield single to second base (1 pitch). Swanson advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Brooks Raley (LHP) replaces Ryne Stanek, as Astros Pitcher. ATL 5, HOU 1
​RBI-SACRIFICE-FLY: Freeman hits an RBI-Sac-Fly to Tucker (1 pitch). Soler remains at first. Runner on 1st. 2 outs. ATL 6, HOU 1
Albies grounds into an unassisted fielder's choice to Altuve (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Braves scored a run, in their half of 8th Inning.

Middle of 8th Inning:
ATL 6, HOU 1

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Alvarez, 0-2
5. Correa, 0-2
6. Tucker, 2-3
​Matzek currently at 8 pitches.
Alvarez hits a lead-off triple to center field wall (2 pitches). Runner on 3rd.
Correa hits an RBI-Groundout to Albies (6 pitches). Alvarez scores. 1 out. ATL 6, HOU 2
Tucker strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Gurriel hits a single, but he is out at second on the throw by Rosario (1 pitch). Rosario to Albies on the putout. 3 outs.



End of 8th Inning:
ATL 6, HOU 2

​
Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Riley, 1-4, RBI
5. Rosario, 2-4
6. Duval, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
Raley currently at 2 pitches.
Riley flies out to Brantley at the left field warning track (1 pitch). 1 out.
Rosario grounds out to Bregman (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Will M. Smith (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Duvall strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 9th Inning.


Middle of 9th Inning:
ATL 6, HOU 2

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. McComerick, 0-3
9. Castro, 0-1
1. Altuve, 0-4
PITCHING CHANGE: Will M. Smith (LHP) replaces Tyler Matzek, as Braves Pitcher.
​DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Guillermo Heredia repalces Joc Pederson at center field. 
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Adam Duvall moves from center to right field. 
PINCH-HITTING: Aledmys Diaz pinch-hitting for Chas McComerick.
Diaz draws a lead-off walk (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Castro reaches on a 4-5 fielder's choice (6 pitches). Runner on 1st. 1 out.
Altuve reaches on a 6-4 fielder's choice (2 pitches). Runner on 1st. 2 outs.
Brantley grounds out to Albies (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner to end Game 1.


Final:
ATL 6, HOU 2
ATL Leads 2021 World Series 1-0. 
W: Minter (1-0)
L: Valdez (0-1)
PoG: Soler (ATL) 2-5, HR, 2 RBI
ToG: 4:07

Final Thoughts:
Braves got off to a fast start. They scored 5 of their 6 runs in the first 3 innings. However, they lost Charlie Morton to a fractured fibula. And so the Bullpen led by A.J. Minter helped preserve the Game 1 victory. 

For the Astros, they just had a bad start and were unable to get a big inning for tonight's game. 

Same 2 teams tomorrow. Max Fried will start for the Braves. While Jose Urquidy will throw for the Astros. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.
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