Phillies erase 5-run deficit, stun Astros in 10th inning to win World Series opener
A timely swing by J.T. Realmuto propelled the Philadelphia Phillies to an unlikely win in the World Series opener.
A terrific stab by right fielder Nick Castellanos gave him that shot.
Realmuto hit a solo home run in the 10th inning and the Phillies, saved by Castellanos' sliding catch, rallied past the Astros 6-5 Friday night in Houston.
They can thank Castellanos for getting the chance. Known much more for his bat than glove, he rushed in to make a game-saving grab on Jeremy Pena's blooper with two outs in the ninth inning and a runner on second.
"All in all, it was a great game, a great come from behind victory, and it just showed the resilience of the club again and how tough they are and they just never quit," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.
Realmuto, who hit a tying, two-run double in the fifth off Verlander, completed the comeback when he led off the 10th by sending a fastball from Luis Garcia into the seats.
THOSE FIGHTINS! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldSeries?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/tBnyeldpbU">pic.twitter.com/tBnyeldpbU</a>
Realmuto hoped for the best as he saw right fielder Kyle Tucker pursuing the ball.
"Once I saw him running back to the wall, I was thinking in my head, 'Oh, please just don't catch it, just don't catch it."'
He didn't, the ball sailing just beyond his reach.
Realmuto circled the bases in a scene he dreamed about as a kid.
"Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Absolutely. I mean Wiffle Ball games in the backyard, the whole 3-2, bases-loaded, two-out situation. I probably had 7,000 at-bats in that situation growing up," he said.
And did he usually deliver?
"Every time, yes," Realmuto said, laughing.
Realmuto became the first catcher to hit an
