Live-Blogging: 2019 World Series Game 2: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros 10/23/2019

MLB: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live Blogging on Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is Game 2 of the World Series, between Washington Nationals and Houston Astros.

Nationals took Game 1 thanks of to the clutch performance by Juan Soto. Tonight, they hope that they get more out of him and the rest of the Nationals in Game 2.

For the Astros, they would like to not strand runners on base. They stranded 11 runners in Game 1. And would like to improve on that stat in tonight’s game.

Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of elite right-handers. Stephen Strasburg will go for the Nationals, while the Astros will throw Justin Verlander. Strasburg comes in with a K/BB ratio of 33, while averaging 4.06 P/PA. While Verlander comes in with a K/BB ratio of 3.63, while averaging 4.15 P/PA.
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It is Washington Nationals taking on Houston Astros. Game 2 of the 2019 World Series, coming up shortly.

​Starting Lineups:
Washington Nationals:
1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Adam Eaton, RF
3. Anthony Rendon, 3B
4. Juan Soto, LF
5. Howie Kendrick, DH
6. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
7. Ryan Zimmerman, 1B
8. Kurt Suzuki, C
9. Victor Robles, CF
SP: Stephen Strasburg

Houston Astros:
1. George Springer, CF
2. Jose Altuve, 2B
3. Michael Brantley, LF
4. Alex Bregman, 3B
5. Yuli Gurriel, 1B
6. Yordan Alvarez, DH
7. Carlos Correa, SS
8. Robinson Chirinos, C
9. Josh Reddick, RF
​SP: Justin Verlander

Nationals are in their alternate navy jerseys, caps, and gray pants. While the Astros are in their home white uniforms, navy caps with orange star, and white 'H' on the cap.

Top of 1st Inning:
​1. Turner
2. Eaton
3. Rendon
Justin Verlander (RHP) now starting as Astros Pitcher.
First Pitch around 7:08 p.m. CDT.
Turner draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st. 
Eaton singles to left field. Turner advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
RBI-DOUBLE: Rendon hits a 2-run double off the left field wall. Turner and Eaton score. WSH 2, HOU 0
​Soto strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Kendrick flies out to Reddick. 2 outs.
Cabrera strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Nationals get a pair of runs, in their half of 1st Inning.

Middle of 1st Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Springer
2. Altuve
3. Brantley
Stephen Strasburg (RHP) now starting as Nationals Pitcher.
​Strasburg strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Altuve doubles to left field. Runner on 2nd.
With Brantley at-bat, Altuve is caught stealing 3rd by Suzuki. Suzuki to Rendon. 2 outs.
Brantley singles to center field. Runner on 1st.
HOME RUN: Bregman hits a 2-run homer to left field. WSH 2, HOU 2
​Gurriel grounds out to Rendon. 3 outs.
Astros get 2 runs, off the homer by Alex Bregman.

End of 1st Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
7. Zimmerman
8. Suzuki
9. Robles
Verlander currently at 20 pitches.
​Zimmerman strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Suzuki singles to left center field. Runner on 1st.
​Robles strikes out on a foul tip caught by Chirinos. 2 outs.
​​Turner flies out to Reddick. 3 outs.
Nationals strand a base runner.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
6. Alvarez
7. Correa
8. Chirinos
Strasburg currently at 22 pitches.
​Alvarez lines out to a diving Cabrera. 1 out.
Correa gets called out on strikes. 2 outs.
Chirinos strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.

End of 2nd Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
2. Eaton, 1-1
3. Rendon, 1-1, 2 RBI
4. Soto 
Verlander currently at 36 pitches.
​Eaton flies out to Springer. 1 out.
Rendon grounds out to Altuve. 2 outs.
Soto doubles to right field corner. Runner on 2nd.
Kendrick flies out to Reddick. 3 outs.
Nationals strand a base runner.

Middle of 3rd Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Reddick
1. Springer, 0-1
2. Altuve, 1-1
Strasburg currently at 37 pitches.
​Reddick strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Springer pops out to Cabrera. 2 outs.
Altuve reaches on a throwing error by Turner. Runner on 1st.
Brantley singles to right field over Cabrera's head. Altuve advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Bregman grounds into 6-4 fielder's choice. Brantley is out at 2nd. 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

End of 3rd Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Cabrera, 0-1
7. Zimmerman, 0-1
8. Suzuki, 1-1
Verlander currently at 51 pitches.
​Cabrera strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Zimmerman hits an infield single. Runner on 1st.
Suzuki flies out to Brantley. 2 outs.
Robles flies out to Altuve. 3 outs.
Nationals strand a base runner.

Middle of 4th Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Gurriel, 0-1
6. Alvarez, 0-1
7. Correa, 0-1
Strasburg currently at 58 pitches.
​Gurriel strikes out swinging. 1 out.
Alvarez singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
Correa grounds out to Rendon. Alvarez advances to 2nd. 2 outs.
Chirinos strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

End of 4th Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
1. Turner, 0-1
2. Eaton, 1-2
3. Rendon, 1-2, 2 RBI
Verlander currently at 62 pitches.
​Turner singles to right field. Runner on 1st.
DOUBLE PLAY: Eaton grounds into 6-3 double play. 2 outs.
Rendon with a 2-out walk. Runner on 1st.
Soto grounds out to Gurriel, unassisted. 3 outs.
Nationals strand a base runner.

Middle of 5th Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Reddick, 0-1
1. Springer, 0-2
2. Altuve, 1-2
Strasburg currently at 72 pitches.
Reddick grounds out to Zimmerman, unassisted. 1 out.​
Springer grounds out to Turner. 2 outs.
Altuve singles to left field. Runner on 1st.
Brantley flies out to Robles. 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner. 

End of 5th Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up;
5. Kendrick, 0-2
6. Cabrera, 0-2
7. Zimmerman, 1-2
Verlander currently at 83 pitches.
​Kendrick flies out to Springer. 1 out.
Cabrera strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Zimmerman grounds out to Correa. 3 outs.
Nationals go down 1-2-3, in their half of 6th Inning.

Middle of 6th Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
4. Bregman, 1-2, HR, 2 RBI
5. Gurriel, 0-2
6. Alvarez, 1-2
Strasburg currently at 86 pitches.
​Bregman grounds out to Turner. 1 out.
Gurriel doubles to left field. Runner on 2nd.
Martinez elects to intentionally pass Alvarez. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Fernado Rodney (RHP) warming up in Nationals Bullpen.
Correa flies out to Cabrera. 2 outs.
NATIONALS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: WSH 4, HOU 5
PINCH-HITTING: Kyle Tucker pinch-hitting for Robinson Chirinos.
Tucker gets called out on strikes. 3 outs.
Astros a pair of base runners.

End of 6th Inning:
WSH 2, HOU 2

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Suzuki, 1-2
9. Robles, 0-2
1. Turner, 1-2
​Verlander currently at 99 pitches.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Martin Maldonado replaces Kyle Tucker at catcher.
HOME RUN: Kurt Suzuki hits a solo home run to left field. WSH 3, HOU 2
Robles draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
PITCHING CHANGE: Ryan Pressly (RHP) replaces Justin Verlander, as Astros Pitcher.
​Turner draws a base on balls. Robles advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd..
Eaton sacrifice bunts to Pressly. Robles and Turner move 90 feet. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
Rendon flies out to Springer. Robles stays at third. 2 outs.
Astros elect to intentionally pass to Soto. Bases Loaded.
RBI-SINGLE: Kendrick hits an RBI-Single to third base. Robles scores. Turner and Soto move 90 feet. WSH 4, HOU 2
Josh James (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
RBI-SINGLE: Cabrera hits a 2-run single to center field. Turner and Soto score. Kendrick advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. WSH 6, HOU 2
With Zimmerman at-bat, Kendrick and Cabrera move 90 feet, on a wild pitch by Pressly. Runners on 2nd & 3rd.
RBI-SINGLE: Zimmerman hits an RBI-Single to third base. Zimmerman advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by Bregman. Kendrick and Cabrera score. WSH 8, HOU 2
​PITCHING CHANGE: Josh James (RHP) replaces Ryan Pressly, as Astros Pitcher.
Suzuki grounds out to Bregman. 3 outs.
Nationals get 6 runs, in their half of 7th Inning.

Middle of 7th Inning:
WSH 8, HOU 2

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Reddick, 0-2
1. Springer, 0-3
2. Altuve 2-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Fernando Rodney (RHP) replaces Stephen Strasburg, as Astros Pitcher.
​Tanner Rainey warming up in Nationals Bullpen.
Reddick draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Springer reaches on a 5-4 fielder's choice. Reddick is out at 2nd. 1 out.
Altuve pops out to Turner. 2 outs.
Brantley grounds out to Zimmerman, unassisted. 3 outs.
Astros strand a base runner.

End of 7th Inning:
WSH 8, HOU 2

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
9. Robles, 0-2
1. Turner, 1-2
2. Eaton, 1-3
James currently at 2 pitches.
​Robles swung on strike 3, but advances to 1st, on a passed ball by Maldonado. Runner on 1st.
Turner strikes out swinging. 1 out.
HOME RUN: Eaton hits a 2-run homer to right field. Robles scores. WSH 10, HOU 2
​Rendon strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
Soto draws a base on balls. Runner on 1st.
Fox showed a graphic about Road Teams up 2-0 have won 10 out of 13 times. one of the 3 teams who lost a World Series after starting 2-0 on the road? John Smoltz's 1996 Atlanta Braves.
Kendrick singles to left field. Soto advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st and 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Hector Rondon (RHP) replaces Josh James, as Astros Pitcher.
RBI-SINGLE: Cabrera hits an RBI-Single to right center field. Soto scores. WSH 11, HOU 2
Zimmerman grounds out to Altuve. 3 outs.
Nationals get 3 runs, in their half of 8th Inning.

Middle of 8th Inning:
WSH 11, HOU 2

Bottom of 8th Inning:
4. Bregman, 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
5. Gurriel, 1-3
6. Alvarez, 1-2
PITCHING CHANGE: Tanner Rainey (RHP) replaces Fernando Rainey (RHP), as Nationals Pitcher.
​DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Michael A. Taylor replaces Victor Robles, as Nationals Pitcher.
Bregman flies out to Eaton. 1 out.
​Gurriel lines out to Taylor. 2 outs.
Alvarez strikes out swinging. 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.

End of 8th Inning:
WSH 11, HOU 2

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Suzuki, 2-4, HR, RBI
9. Taylor, 0-0
1. Turner, 1-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Chris Devenski (RHP) replaces Hector Rendon, as Astros Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SWITCHES: Jake Marisnick replaces Michael Brantley at center field. George Springer moves from center to right field. Josh Reddick moves from right to left field. 
Suzuki grounds out to Bregman. 1 out.
HOME RUN: Taylor hits a solo home run to left field. WSH 12, HOU 2
Turner strikes out swinging. 2 outs.
PINCH-HITTING: Gerardo Parra pinch-hitting for Adam Eaton.
Parra flies out to Marisnick. 3 outs.

Middle of 9th Inning:
WSH 12, HOU 2

Bottom of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
7. Correa, 0-3
8. Maldonado, 0-0
9. Reddick, 0-2
​​PITCHING CHANGE: Javy Guerra (RHP) replaces Tanner Rainey, as Nationals Pitcher.
DEFENSIVE SUBSTITUTION: Gerardo Parra stays in the game, to play right field. 
Correa flies out to Taylor. 1 out.
HOME RUN: Maldonado hits a solo home run to left field. WSH 12, HOU 3
Reddick grounds out to Cabrera. 2 outs.
Springer reaches on a throwing error by Rendon. Runner on 1st.
Altuve singles to center field. Springer advances to 1st & 2nd.
Marisnick grounds out to Rendon. 3 outs.


Final:
WSH 12, HOU 3
Nationals lead series 2-0. 
W: Strasburg (4-0)
L: Verlander (1-3)
PoG: Suzuki (WSH) 2-5, HR, RBI
ToG: 4:01

Final Thoughts:
Game 2 was won and lost in the Bottom of the 6th Inning. Astros had runners on 1st & 2nd, 1 out. And Strasburg gets Correa and Tucker out. Then Suzuki leads off the 6-run 7th Inning, with solo home run off Justin Verlander and that was the game. 

The Nationals have a 2-0 World Series lead on the road. As I mentioned earlier, the teams who lead 2-0 on the road in the World Series, have won 10-13 series. 

For the Astros, it is almost as if their lack of lefties out of the Bullpen, might come back to haunt them. Had they have a lefty, they could have made Cabrera bat right-handed, in the Top of 7th Inning.

Friday's Starting Pitchers will be Zack Grienke for the Astros and Anibal Sanchez for the Nationals.

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