When Javier held the Phillies scoreless through the first three innings, it was no small feat. Major League Baseball is instituting a pitch clock - 15 seconds to throw with the bases empty, 20 with someone on base - and Javier often surpassed those limits on this evening, drawing boos from a crowd eager for action. Next year, Javier won’t be able to work quite this way. Backing off onto the grass, straightening his hat, rubbing the ball, taking deep breaths, he proceeded at his own pace. Very still on the mound, Javier carved his own quiet spot in the middle of the Phillies’ storm. He tamed a club that had been 6-0 at home this postseason while hitting 17 home runs, including a Series record-tying five in a 7-0 romp in Game 3. First lady Jill Biden, a noted Phillies fan, was among those in the crowd of 45,693 who had little to shout about.Īlex Bregman delivered the hit Houston desperately needed, a two-run double in a five-run fifth inning, and that was plenty for the Astros.Ĭompletely in charge, Javier struck out nine, walked two and hardly allowed any loud contact. They can only hope to pitch as well as Javier.īy the time the 25-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic exited, the only hit maker on the Philadelphia side who showed up on the scoreboard was rocker Bruce Springsteen, pictured surrounded by Phillies fans.Īnd a few innings later, as fans started leaving Citizens Bank Park, there actually were boos for postseason star Bryce Harper and the Phillies. Astros ace Justin Verlander will again chase that elusive first World Series win when he faces Noah Syndergaard. The quartet of pitchers posed with catcher Christian Vázquez near the visiting dugout moments after the game, each putting a hand on the game ball for a photo. Plus, they’d done this before: Javier, the starter in a combined no-hitter against the New York Yankees in June, was pulled with a no-hitter in progress after 97 pitches this time.īryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly each followed with a hitless inning, ensuring this year’s championship will be decided this weekend back at Minute Maid Park. Javier and three relievers weren’t perfect, but they were close. The only previous no-hitter in the World Series was a perfect game by Don Larsen of the New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. It’s worth noting that Stearns was the assistant GM for Houston when Nottingham was drafted in the sixth round back in 2013, so he’s clearly a fan.įollow - Cristian Javier and Houston’s bullpen combined on just the second no-hitter in World Series history, silencing a booming lineup and boisterous ballpark as the Astros blanked the Philadelphia Phillies 5-0 Wednesday night to even the matchup at two games each. He was traded from the Astros to the Athletics as part of the Scott Kazmir deal last July. 316/.372/.505 with 17 home runs over 109 games last season between Class A and High-A. The Brewers can afford to wait on the right offer for Lucroy, whether it’s in spring training or at the trade deadline or perhaps later.Ĭhecking in at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Nottingham batted. Nottingham doesn’t turn 21 until April and has yet to play in Double-A, so he’s still a ways off from the majors. It’s likely just a matter of time before he’s shipped elsewhere, but yesterday’s trade shouldn’t change the timeline for a potential deal. The Brewers are in rebuild-mode and Lucroy is an excellent trade chip if healthy, as his contract includes a $5.25 million club option for 2017. #Brewers GM David Stearns told me acquisition of C prospect Jake Nottingham does not affect Jonathan Lucroy's status one way or the other.
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