Astros outlast and outslug Dodgers

HOUSTON (AP) _ Five home runs weren’t enough for the Houston Astros to take a three-games-to-two lead in the World Series, but an RBI single did the trick.

Alex Bregman’s two-out single in the bottom of the 10th scored pinch-runner Derek Fisher as the Astros outlasted the Dodgers 13-12. Losing pitcher Kenley Jansen was one out from retiring the Astros in the 10th until he hit Brian McCann with a pitch and walked Springer. Bregman put the finishing touches on a wild game in which the two teams combined for seven home runs, bringing their total to a World Series-record 22.

The Astros and Dodgers also combined to blow three leads of three runs or more. Jose Altuve and Yuli Gurriel each hit game-tying, three-run homers before George Springer and Carlos Correa connected in a four-run seventh that put the Astros ahead 11-8. A Brian McCann home run allowed Houston to carry a 12-9 lead into the ninth, but Yasiel Puig launched a two-run shot and Chris Taylor added a two-out, two-strike RBI single to force extra innings.

It was billed as a pitchers’ duel, but neither Dallas Keuchel nor Clayton Kershaw lasted five innings. Keuchel was pulled in the fourth trailing 4-0 after yielding three earned runs and five hits. Kershaw was tagged for six runs over 4 2/3 innings.

Winning pitcher Joe Musgrove worked a scoreless 10th to help the Astros get within one victory of their first World Series title.

Game 6 is Tuesday in Los Angeles. Justin Verlander is expected to start for the Astros. The Dodgers haven’t named their starter.

Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch

 

Houston shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve

 

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts

 

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