J.T. Realmuto and David Robertson celebrate the Philadelphia Phillies' Game 1 win in the World Series. Oct 28, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher David Robertson (30) and catcher J.T. Realmuto (left) celebrate on the field after defeating the Houston Astros during game one of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
MLBBy Matt Clapp on

The Houston Astros appeared to be in full control of Game 1 of the World Series. Entering the fourth inning, Houston had a 5-0 lead and starting pitcher Justin Verlander — who will win the AL Cy Young Award — hadn’t allowed a baserunner.

Well, it was the Phillies that came away victorious at Minute Maid Park, 6-5 in 10 innings.

Philadelphia got the comeback started with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, capped off by an Alec Bohm two-run double with two outs.

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In the top of the fifth, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto crushed a two-run double off the wall in left-center field to tie the game 5-5. What appeared to be a potentially dominant start from Verlander turned into a five-run outing over five innings pitched.

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In the bottom of the ninth, the Astros had a runner on second and two outs, when Jeremy Peña hit a blooper into right field. Nick Castellanos — one of the worst defenders in baseball by the metrics — made a terrific sliding catch to save the game for Philadelphia.

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And leading off the top of the 10th, Realmuto hit what would serve as the game-winning homer on an opposite-field shot.

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Houston had runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, but David Robertson closed the door by getting Aledmys Díaz to ground out.

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So, after trailing 5-0 through three innings, the Phillies outscored the Astros 6-0 in the final seven innings. On the road, against Justin Verlander and company. The Astros entered Game 1 unbeaten this postseason.

It’s the biggest comeback in Phillies postseason history, and it’s the largest comeback by an NL team in the World Series since 1956.

The baseball world has had a lot to say about Philadelphia’s wild comeback to take a 1-0 lead in the World Series:

These teams will be right back at it on Saturday, with Game 2 scheduled for an 8:03 pm ET first pitch at Minute Maid Park. Zack Wheeler will get the start for Philadephia, while Framber Valdez will take the hill for Houston. The Astros should be treating this game as a must-win before the series heads to Philadelphia.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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