Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball: 2021 World Series Game 5-Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves

2021 World Series Game 5: Houston Astros at Atlanta Braves

​Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is Game 5 of the 2021 World Series, between Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.
 
Braves have defended their home field in Games 3 & 4. In Game 3 they hurled a combined 2-hitter, in their 2-0 shutout victory. In Game 4, Atlanta’s Bullpen gave the Astros Lineup fits. Houston was 0-for-8 with RISP and left 11 runners on base. Braves take the lead with back-to-back homers by Dansby Swanson and Jorge Soler.
 
So, now the Braves are hoping to get win another Bullpen Game. If not, they will have Max Fried and Ian Anderson will start in Games 6 & 7.
 
For the Astros, they got Jose Altuve going. But their concern is Alex Bregman. Bregman was 0-5 in Game 4.
 
Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of left-handed pitchers. Framber Valdez will start for the Astros. While Tucker Davidson will start for the Braves. Valdez lost Game 1 on Tuesday, giving up 5 ER, in 2 IP. For Davidson, he comes in with a strikeout/walk ratio of 2.25 K/BB, 3.65 P/PA, and 1.10 GO/AO.
 
Starting Lineups:
Houston Astros:

1. Jose Altuve, 2B
2. Michael Brantley, RF
3. Carlos Correa, SS
4. Yordan Alvarez, LF
5. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
6. Kyle Tucker, CF
7. Alex Bregman, 3B
8. Martin Maldonado, C
9. Framber Valdez, P

 
Atlanta Braves:

1. Jorge Soler, RF
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. Dansby Swanson, SS

     9. Tucker Davidson, P

Astros are in their traveling gray uniforms, navy caps, with orange star with a white 'H' on the hat. While the Braves are in their home uniforms, navy and red caps with a white 'A' on the hat.

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve
2. Brantley
3. Correa
Tucker Davidson (LHP) now starting as Braves Pitcher.
​First Pitch around 7:17 pm CDT.
Altuve flies out to Swanson (6 pitches). 1 out.
Brantley draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Correa grounds into 4-3 double play (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros side is retired.

Middle of 1st Inning:
HOU 0, ATL 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Soler
2. Freeman
3. Albies
Framber Valdez (LHP) now starting as Houston Astros Pitcher.
​Soler hits a lead-off single off Bregman and into left field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Freeman flies out to Tucker (1 pitch). 1 out.
Albies reaches on a 6-4 fielder's choice (1 pitch). Soler is out at first. Runner on 1st. 1 out.
Riley singles to left field (2 pitches). Albies moves to 3rd. Riley advances to 2nd on the play at third. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Rosario draws a bases loaded walk (5 pitches).
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: HOU 4, ATL 5
GRAND SLAM: Adam Duvall hits a grand slam off Framber Valdez (1 pitch).Albies, Riley, and Rosario score. HOU 0, ATL 4
d'Arnaud grounds out to Correa (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves start Game 5, with a grand slam by Adam Duvall.

End of 1st Inning:
HOU 0, ATL 4

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Alvarez
5. Gurriel
6. Tucker
Davidson currently at 15 pitches.
Alvarez lines out to Rosario (2 pitches). 1 out.
Gurriel singles to center field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Tucker draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Gurriel advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: HOU 4, ATL 4
Yimi Garcia (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
RBI-DOUBLE: Bregman hits an RBI-Double to right center field (5 pitches). Gurriel scores. Tucker advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
RBI-SACRIFICE-FLY: Maldonado hits an RBI-Sac-Fly to Duvall (5 pitches). Tucker scores. Bregman advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 2 outs. HOU 2, ATL 4
Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Valdez gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros scored 2 runs, in their half of 2nd Inning.

Middle of 2nd Inning:

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
8. Swanson
9. Davidson?
1. Soler, 1-1
Valdez currently at 15 pitches.
​Swanson grounds out to Correa (5 pitches). 1 out.
Davidson strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Soler grounds out to Correa (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.


End of 2nd Inning:
HOU 2, ATL 4

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve, 0-1
2. Brantley, 0-0
3. Correa, 0-1
Davidson currently at 41 pitches.
Jesse Chavez (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Altuve reaches on a fielding error by Swanso (7 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Brantley draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Altuve moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Jesse Chavez (RHP) replaces Tucker Davidson, as Braves Pitcher. HOU 2, ATL 4
​RBI-DOUBLE: Correa hits an RBI-Double to left center field (6 pitches). Altuve scores. Brantley advances to 3rd. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. HOU 3, ATL 4
Alvarez flies out to Rosario (1 pitch). Brantley stays at third. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. 1 out.
Gurriel hits an RBI-Groundout to Swanson (1 pitch). Brantley scores. Correa advances to 3rd. Runner on 3rd. 2 outs. HOU 4, ATL 4
Tucker draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Bregman flies out to Rosario (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros score 2 more runs, to tie Game 5.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
HOU 4, ATL 4

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
2. Freeman, 0-1
3. Albies, 0-1
4. Riley, 1-1
Valdez currently at 27 pitches.
​HOME RUN: Freddie Freeman hits a solo homer off Framber Valdez (6 pitches). HOU 4, ATL 5
​Albies grounds out to Bregman (4 pitches). 1 out.
Riley grounds out to Correa (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Rosario draws a 2-out walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
PITCHING CHANGE: Yimi Garcia (RHP) replaces Framber Valdez, as Houston Astros Pitcher. Runner on 1st. 2 outs. HOU 4, ATL 5
Duvall pops out to Correa (12 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves get a run, off the homer by Freddie Freeman. 

End of 3rd Inning:
HOU 5, ATL 4

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Maldonado, 0-0
9. Valdez?
1. Altuve, 0-2
Chavez currently at 15 pitches.
Maldonado grounds out to Albies (2 pitches). 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Zack Greinke pinch-hitting for Yimi Garcia.
A.J. Minter (LHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Greinke singles to right field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Altuve flies out to Soler (5 pitches). 2 outs.
PITCHING CHANGE: A.J. Minter (LHP) replaces Jesse Chavez, as Braves Pitcher. HOU 4, ATL 5
Jose Urquidy (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Brantley strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

Middle of 4th Inning:
HOU 4, ATL 5

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
7. d'Arnaud, 0-1
8. Swanson, 0-1
9. Minter?
PITCHING CHANGE: Jose Urquidy (RHP) replaces Yimi Garcia, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
​d'Arnaud singles to center field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Swanson flies out to Tucker (1 pitch). 1 out.
Minter bunt fouls out to Maldonado (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Soler grounds into an unassisted fielder's choice (8 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.

End of 4th Inning:
HOU 4, ATL 5

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Correa, 1-2, RBI
4. Alvarez, 0-2
5. Gurriel, 1-2, RBI
Minter currently at 3 pitches.
Correa hits a lead-off single to center field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Alvarez gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 1 out.
Gurriel singles to center field (4 pitches). Correa advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Tucker grounds out to Freeman, unassisted (2 pitches). Correa and Gurriel advance 90 feet. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. 2 outs.
Braves elect to intentionally pass on Bregman.
Maldonado draws a game-tying walk (5 pitches). Correa scores. Gurriel and Bregman advance 90 feet. HOU 5, ATL 5
PINCH-HITTING: Marwin Gonzalez pinch-hitting for Jose Urquidy. 
BRAVES MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: HOU 3, ATL 3
2-RUN-SINGLE: Gonzalez hits a 2-run-single to left field (1 pitch). Gurriel and Bregman score. Maldonado advance to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. HOU 7, ATL 5
PITCHING CHANGE: Chris Martin (RHP) replaces A.J. Minter, as Braves Pitcher.
​Phil Maton (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Altuve strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros scored 3 runs, in their half of 5th Inning.

Middle of 5th Inning:
HOU 7, ATL 5

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Freeman, 1-2, HR, RBI
3. Albies, 0-2
4. Riley, 1-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Phil Maton (RHP) replaces Jose Urquidy, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
​Freeman flies out to Brantley (1 pitch). 1 out.
Albies strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Riley doubles to center field (3 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #3: MVR: HOU 2, ATL 3
Rosario grounds out to Maton (5 pitches). 3 outs.
​Braves strand a base runner.


End of 5th Inning:
HOU 7, ATL 5

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Brantley, 0-1
3. Correa, 2-3, RBI
4. Alvarez, 0-3
Martin currently at 6 pitches.
Brantley grounds out to Freeman, unassisted (5 pitches). 1 out.
Correa grounds out to Swanson (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Alvarez flies out to Rosario (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.


Middle of 6th Inning:
HOU 7, ATL 5

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Duvall, 1-2, HR, 4 RBI
7. d'Aranud, 1-2
8. Swanson, 0-2
Maton currently at 13 pitches.
​Luke Jackson (RHP) warming up in Braves Bullpen.
Duvall gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 1 out.
d'Arnaud singles to left field (2 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Ryne Stanek (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Swanson strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Joc Pederson pinch-hitting for Chris Martin.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #4: MVR: HOU 1, ATL 3
Pederson fouls out to Bregman (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.

End of 6th Inning:
HOU 7, ATL 5

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Gurriel, 2-3
6. Tucker, 0-1
7. Bregman, 1-2, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Drew Smyly (LHP) replaces Chris Martin, as Braves Pitcher.
​Gurriel strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 1 out.
Tucker doubles to right field (1 pitch). Runner on 2nd.
Bregman pops out to Riley (1 pitch). 2 outs.
RBI-SINGLE: Maldonado hits an RBI-Single to left field (4 pitches). Tucker scores. Maldonado advances to 2nd, on the play at home. Runner on 2nd. HOU 8, ATL 5
PINCH-HITTING: Chas McCormick pinch-hitting for Phil Maton.
McCormick strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros scored a run, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
HOU 8, ATL 5

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Soler, 1-3
2. Freeman, 1-3, HR, RBI
3. Albies,0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Ryne Stanek (RHP) replaces Phil Maton, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
Soler flies out to Alvarez (5 pitches). 1 out.
Freeman grounds out to Gurriel (4 pitches). Gurriel to Stanek on the putout. 2 outs.
Albies strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 3 outs.
​Braves go down 1-2-3, in their half of 7th Inning.


End of 7th Inning:
HOU 8, ATL 5

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve, 0-4
2. Brantley, 0-2
3. Correa, 2-4, RBI
Smyly currently at 17 pitches.
Altuve singles to center field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
STOLEN BASE: With Brantley at-bat, Altuve steals 2nd Base, on the pickoff attempt by Smyly. Runner on 2nd.
UMPIRE REVIEW: Umpires reviewing the call at second base. Call Stands.
Brantley grounds out to Albies (2 pitches). Altuve moves 90 feet. Runner on 3rd.
Kendall Graveman (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
RBI-SINGLE: Correa hits an RBI-Single to left field (2 pitches). Altuve scores. HOU 9, ATL 5
Alvarez strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Gurriel singles to center field (3 pitches). Correa advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Tucker flies out to Rosario (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros gets a run, but strand a pair of base runners.

Middle of 8th Inning:
HOU 9, ATL 5

Bottom of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Riley, 2-3
5. Rosario, 0-1
6. Duvall, 1-3, HR, 4 RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Kendall Graveman (RHP) replaces Ryne Stanek, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Jose Siri replaces Ryne Stanek, playing center field. 
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Kyle Tucker moves from center to right field. While Michael Brantley moves from left field to right field. 
Riley singles to center field (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #5: MVR: HOU 1, ATL 3
Rosario flies out to Siri (8 pitches). 1 out.
Duvl grounds out to Bregman (5 pitches). Riley advances to 2nd. Runner on 2nd. 2 outs.
d'Arnaud strikes out swinging (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Braves strand a base runner.

End of 8th Inning:
HOU 9, ATL 5

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Bregman, 1-3, RBI
8. Maldonado, 1-2, 3 RBI
9. Graveman?
Smyly currently at 34 pitches.
Bregman grounds out to Riley (3 pitches). 1 out.
Maldonado strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Graveman gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 9th Inning.

Middle of 9th Inning: 
HOU 9, ATL 5

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Swanson, 0-3
9. Smyly?
1. Soler, 1-4
​Graveman currently at 22 pitches.
Swanson flies out to Tucker (3 pitches). 1 out.
PINCH-HITTING: Ehire Adrianza pinch-hitting for Drew Smyly. 
Adrianza lines out to Siri (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Soler strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.

Final:
HOU 9, ATL 5
ATL leads 2021 World Series, 3-2.
W: Urquidy (2-0)
L: Minter (1-1)
PoG: Martin Maldonado (HOU) 1-3, 3 RBI
ToG: 4:00

Final Thoughts:
Braves got a jolt with the Adam Duvall grand slam, in the Bottom of 1st Inning. However, they scored only one run the rest of the game.

The Astros stayed patient and in the Bottom of 5th Inning, Martin Maldonado draws a game-tying walk. And Marwin Gonzalez hits the game-winning, pinch-hit single, scoring Gurriel and Bregman. 

With the Astros victory, the World Series heads back to Houston. Astros have not announced their starter for Game 6. While it is up to Max Fried and Ian Anderson, to give Braves great starts in Game 6 and possibly Game 7.

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