(VIDEO) Puerto Rican Martin Maldonado hit a two-run RBI single and Michael Brantley also drove in two runs for Houston.
Venezuelan José Altuve homered and scored twice and Mexican José Urquidy did an excellent job of setting up the Houston Astros to beat the Atlanta Braves 7×2 this Wednesday to level the Baseball World Series to one victory per side.
Martin Maldonado hit a two-run RBI single and Michael Brantley also drove in two runs for Houston.
The Braves, in their first World Series since 1999, are seeking their first championship since 1995. They are 5-0 at home this year in the playoffs.
The best-of-seven series now moves to Atlanta, where Games 3 (Friday), Game 4 (Saturday) and Game 5 (Sunday) will take place.
The victory went to Urquidy (1-0), who worked excellently through five dominant innings, spreading six hits, two runs and seven strikeouts.
Urquidy noted after the game that “he was very focused, throwing strikes and attacking the batter all the time, attacking the strike zone.”
“The offense was very good too. We are going to continue fighting, ”he added.
Urquidy had pitched only once in 24 days before kickoff, but he showed himself to be fit. “I was trying to compete 100%. He was paying attention to each of the at-bats. I loved it, ”added the Mexican starter.
The setback went to Max Fried (0-1), punished with seven hits and six touchdowns.
The Astros take it out
The Astros did not wait long and on the day they went over to the Braves to retaliate for the loss suffered on Tuesday in the first game.
The Astros came out aggressively and early took control in the first inning with a double from Altuve, who then scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Alex Bergman for the game’s first run.
The Braves didn’t like it much and in the second inning receiver Travis d’Arnaud hit a home run by Mexican Urquidy to tie the game at one run.
The Astros were back on the attack in the second by scoring four runs against Fried’s shipments. The party began with consecutive singles by Kyle Turcker, Cuban Yuli Gurriel, Dominican José Siri and Puerto Rican Martín Maldonado, all accompanied by a mistake by Puerto Rican Eddie Rosario and an uncontrolled pitch by the pitcher and the stadium exploded in joy.
Fried was relieved as he calmly retired the third inning 1-2-3 with a strikeout to American League Championship MVP Yordan Alvarez, grounded out the infield and flied to second to Tucker.
In the fifth the Braves discounted one against Urquidy for a hit by d’Arnaud and another RBI from Freedie Freeman.
Urquidy left the mound in the sixth when he was replaced by Cristian Javier, who struck out Austin Riley but could not dominate Cuban Jorge Soler, who hit him with a thunderbolt for third for a double.
However, Javier later dominated with two separate flys to Joc Pederson and Adam Duvall.
Fried could not get out in the sixth when he walked Alvarez and allowed a single by Correa and was soon replaced by reliever Dylan Lee.
Lee dominated Tucker on a ground ball but Cuban Gurriel was left alive by mistake by Curaçao Ozzie Albies and the third runner scored the sixth run.
In the seventh Altuve received reliever Drew Smyly with a homer to left field. Alvarez was then hit by a pitch, Tucker traded a walk but Gurriel hit a strikeout.
For the second game on Friday, starters Ian Anderson (Braves) and Venezuelan Luis García (Astros) are announced. (D)
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