KYLE TUCKER

José Abreu has spent his entire nine-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, but Astros owner Jim Crane isn’t worried about how the newly signed first baseman will fit in with his teammates in Houston.

José Abreu and the World Series champion Astros have agreed to a three-year contract, adding another powerful bat to Houston’s lineup.

Finally — after going 0-6 in his first eight starts and accumulating a record-high 6.07 ERA — his first win in the World Series. The ball, traveling at an initial speed of 102.4 mph, flew 387 feet with an expected batting average of .690. McCormick, who grew up half an hour away as a die-hard Phillies fan, was suddenly 12 years old again, watching his team lose in the World Series to the Yankees. “That was the closest game of the Series and a really exciting one to win,” said Trey Mancini. His Phillies fan friends and family have found themselves torn so far this World Series, but he guessed the messages were mostly the congratulatory kind.

Houston Astros center fielder Chas McCormick and fill-in first baseman Trey Mancini both made key defensive plays in the late innings that helped preserve a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series.

“That's the theme: we get punched in the face the first game, then we win the second game," Astros outfielder Chas McCormick said.

Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola had another rough outing in Game 4 and lost for the first time in the World Series.

Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu and Rafael Montero held the Philadelphia Phillies hitless through eight innings in Game 4 of the World Series, and the Houston Astros led 5-0 after knocking out Aaron Nola in a five-run fifth.

Astros rookie shortstop and AL Championship Series MVP Jeremy Peña won his first Gold Glove Award and Houston right fielder Kyle Tucker joined his teammate on the list announced before Game 3 of the World Series.

The point is quantification and comparison — to better understand in retrospect whether what we were watching was good or bad. That brought up Kyle Schwarber, notably exactly the kind of guy you would expect to hit a game-changing home run. They underscore how we take for granted the talent required to keep any game on the rails. The easy takeaway is that baseball remains a heartbreaking game of inches and instants. But for now, these World Series games are self-contained dramas as much as they are a means to determining a victor.

Kyle Schwarber had big swings on consecutive pitches for the Philadelphia Phillies when they needed a comeback in Game 2 of the World Series.

Realmuto and the Philadelphia Phillies weren't fazed playing from behind in their World Series opener. Down 5-0 early against Astros ace Justin Verlander, Philadelphia became the first team in 20 years to overcome a five-run deficit to win a World Series game. Valdez will try to shake lousy memories from last year's World Series, when he was 0-1 with a 19.29 ERA against Atlanta, allowing four homers in 4 2/3 innings. “Last year my emotions got the better of me during the World Series,” Valdez said through an interpreter Friday. Here’s what else to know about the World Series on Saturday:SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE (All times ET)Game 2: Philadelphia at Houston, 8:03 p.m., FOXASTRONOMICALHouston's Kyle Tucker is off to a hot start this World Series a year after going without an RBI during a six-game Series loss to Atlanta.

The Astros and Phillies travel Friday to Texas, where Game 6 of the World Series will be played a night later.

The Philadelphia Phillies do not want to get off their magic carpet ride any time soon - they came back from five runs down to win Game 1 of the World Series.

Ahead 5-0, the Houston Astros finally were going to win a World Series opener. Instead, Tucker's first two Series home runs weren't quite enough. Tucker had gone without an RBI in last year's six-game Series loss to Atlanta. Then in the third, Tucker capped a seven-pitch at-bat by sending a sinker from Nola soaring into Houston's bullpen. Realmuto hit an opposite-field drive against Luis Garcia leading off, and the ball went just over the glove of a leaping Tucker at the right-field wall.

Kyle Tucker got the fans jumping with a leadoff homer in the second inning.

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HOUSTON — (AP) — Aaron Nola was nowhere near perfect for the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston this time. Just 3 1/2 weeks earlier at Minute Maid Park, Nola was perfect through 6 2/3 innings against the Astros before giving up two hits. Philadelphia won 3-0 that night to clinch its first playoff berth since 2011, and now the Phillies are in the World Series for the first time since 2009. Five Phillies relievers, with David Robertson finishing it off, limited the Astros to four hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings. Going into the World Series, that loss to Nola on Oct. 3 was the last for the Astros.

Aaron Nola was nowhere near perfect for the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston for Game 1 of the World Series.

Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies are set to play the Houston Astros in the World Series.

Yankees All-Star pitcher Nestor Cortes left Game 4 of the AL Championship Series with an injured left groin after allowing a three-run homer to Houston’s Jeremy Pena in the third inning.

Cristian Javier and Houston’s bullpen combined on a three-hitter, Chas McCormick followed a dropped flyball with an early two-run homer and the Astros beat Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees 5-0 to take a 3-0 AL Championship Series lead.

The Yankees’ season keeps coming down to Gerrit Cole.

Alex Bregman hit an early three-run homer, Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and the Houston Astros edged the New York Yankees 3-2 to take a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Slugger Yordan Alvarez once again played a huge role in the Houston Astros' Game 2 win over the Seattle Mariners to take a commanding lead in the ALDS.

Yordan Alvarez and his mighty bat did it yet again, launching a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth inning off Seattle ace Luis Castillo that lifted the Houston Astros over the Mariners 4-2 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Division Series.

Aaron Nola took a perfect game into the seventh inning and Kyle Schwarber homered twice as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first playoff berth in 11 years with a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros Monday night.

Whether you had a great fantasy baseball season or a miserable one, you are likely ready to turn the page to 2023. 3: Ronald Acuna (OF, Atlanta Braves)Acuna may have the best chance of anyone on this list to push past Judge and rank as the best fantasy asset next season. 12 Mookie Betts (OF, Los Angeles Dodgers)Betts started slowly this year (.731 OPS in April) before warming up with the weather and ranking among the best fantasy options. The 29-year-old sits second in runs scored, eighth in home runs and has been a solid contributor in the three other standard categories. My 2023 plan will be to start with a pair of hitters before attacking pitching in the subsequent two rounds.

Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies hoped to be in this position.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was pulled in the fifth inning with neck tightness during a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night. McClanahan (12-6) was making his second start after returning from the 15-day injured list due to a left shoulder impingement. McClanahan walked Jose Altuve leading off the fifth, then threw three straight balls to Jeremy Peña. Peña hit a three-run homer, Altuve scored three runs and the Astros won for the ninth time in 10 games a day after clinching the AL West championship. Peña's 19th homer came in the third inning after Altuve's second hit, putting the Astros up 4-0.

Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan was pulled in the fifth inning with neck tightness during a 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros.

José Urquidy won his 12th game for the AL-leading Astros. The Braves went up 2-0 in the first when Dansby Swanson singled and Matt Olson hit his 26th homer, a 432-foot shot to right-center. The Astros tacked on a run in the ninth off Stephens on Gurriel’s RBI single to make it 5-2. UP NEXTRHP Jake Odorizzi (4-5, 4.15 ERA) will face RHP Roansy Contreras (3-3, 4.02) when the Braves open a three-game series at Pittsburgh. The Astros are off Monday and have yet to announce a starter Tuesday when Houston begins a three-game home series against Minnesota.

Atlanta outfielder Marcell Ozuna was booed by his home fans in his return, Kyle Tucker singled to drive in Yordan Alvarez for the go-ahead run in the eighth, José Urquidy won his 12th game, and the Houston Astros beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 to avoid a three-game sweep.

Alex Bregman hit two homers and two doubles, driving in a career-high six runs and powering the Houston Astros past the Chicago White Sox 21-5.

Astros Guardians Baseball Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill winds up during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) (Ron Schwane)CLEVELAND — (AP) — Cal Quantrill tossed six scoreless innings and Amed Rosario had a two-run single, lifting the Cleveland Guardians to a 4-1 victory over the AL West-leading Houston Astros on Saturday night. The Guardians pulled within 1 1/2 games of first-place Minnesota in the AL Central with the combined six-hitter. Houston only advanced one runner past second base in the first eight innings against Quantrill, Trevor Stephan and James Karinchak. The Guardians snapped a seven-game home losing streak to the Astros, beating them for the first time in Cleveland since July 31, 2019.

Cal Quantrill pitched six scoreless innings and Amed Rosario had a two-run single, lifting the Cleveland Guardians to a 4-1 victory over the AL West-leading Houston Astros.

Justin Verlander pitched six scoreless innings for his MLB-leading 15th victory, Chas McCormick and Martin Maldonado each homered and had three RBIs, and the AL West-leading Houston Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 6-0.

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)The real-life MLB trade deadline provides fantasy managers with one final chance to re-evaluate their teams. Ranks are based on standard Yahoo fantasy leaguesMatt Chapman, Toronto Blue Jays 3BFantasy rank over the last seven days: 2Season-long fantasy rank: 81Big things were expected of Matt Chapman his first year in Toronto. Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros OFFantasy rank over the last seven days: 584Season-long fantasy rank: 49Kyle Tucker has simultaneously been a useful fantasy asset and a disappointing one. After hitting .294 last season, Tucker is hitting .240 in 2022. Taijuan Walker, New York Mets SPFantasy rank over the last seven days: 496Season-long fantasy rank: 104Taijuan Walker has been a fantasy revelation for those who refused to give up on his talent.

Justin Verlander became the major leagues’ first 13-game winner, striking out nine and topping 99 mph in his final inning to lead the Houston Astros over the Seattle Mariners 3-1.

Shohei Ohtani won his sixth straight start by striking out 12 in six innings and also hit a two-run triple in the Los Angeles Angels’ 7-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

Even the mighty Houston Astros are not immune to occasional bouts of comprehensive ineptitude, as they demonstrated while blowing a four-run lead in the seventh inning Tuesday night with two errors, a hit batter with the bases loaded and a passed ball. The Astros still had plenty of time to recover against an opponent that's been largely inept for two full months now. Kyle Tucker delivered a tiebreaking RBI double in the ninth inning, and the Astros rallied for a 6-5 victory over the spiraling Los Angeles Angels.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (Julio Cortez)NEW YORK — (AP) — A year after Shohei Ohtani became baseball’s first two-way All-Star, the Los Angeles Angels sensation did it again. Outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton were elected to start. Contreras joins Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras as the first brothers in the same All-Star Game since Aaron and Bret Boone in 2003. Seattle outfielder Julio Rodríguez was the lone rookie picked and at 21 is the youngest of this year’s All-Stars. AL pitchers elected to start by players included Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase, Baltimore’s Jorge López, Toronto’s Alek Manoah, Tampa Bay’s Shane McClanahan along with Cole, Cortes, Holmes and Verlander.

Los Angeles Angels sensation Shohei Ohtani repeated as a two-way All-Star when he was picked for the AL pitching staff, two days after he was elected to start at designated hitter.

Cristian Javier pitched another gem, striking out a career-high 14 while allowing just one hit in seven innings to lead the Houston Astros to an 8-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

APTOPIX Yankees Astros Baseball Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker, left, is tagged out by New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (39) while trying to steal home plate during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)HOUSTON — (AP) — Houston's Kyle Tucker was thrown out Thursday night when he tried to steal home while New York Yankees starter Luis Severino tinkered with his malfunctioning PitchCom device. Alex Bregman had just hit a two-run double to put Houston up 2-0 and Tucker was on third with two outs in the third inning. Severino had the PitchCom earpiece in his right hand and had to quickly maneuver to get the baseball back in his throwing hand. The PitchCom digital pitch-calling devices, which transmit signals from the catcher to the pitcher, were introduced to the majors this season.

Houston’s Kyle Tucker was thrown out when he tried to steal home while New York Yankees starter Luis Severino tinkered with his malfunctioning PitchCom device.

Houston’s Kyle Tucker was thrown out Thursday night when he tried to steal home while New York Yankees starter Luis Severino tinkered with his malfunctioning PitchCom device. Alex Bregman had just hit a two-run double to put Houston up 2-0 and Tucker was on third with two outs in the third inning. With Yuli Gurriel at-bat, a frustrated Severino took off his cap and held the PitchCom speaker to his ear, apparently unable to hear instructions from catcher Jose Trevino.

Justin Verlander pitched two-hit ball for eight innings, light-hitting backup catcher Jason Castro lined a two-run homer in the ninth and the Houston Astros beat the Mets 2-0 to send New York to its first three-game losing streak this season.

Aaron Judge drove a three-run homer in the 10th inning for his second walk-off hit against Houston in four days, and the New York Yankees recovered after nearly being no-hit for the second consecutive game, beating Houston 6-3 to split a four-game series between the AL’s best teams.

Astros Yankees Baseball Houston Astros' Justin Verlander pitches during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, June 24, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (Bebeto Matthews)NEW YORK — (AP) — Justin Verlander pitched four-hit ball over seven innings, Kyle Tucker hit a three-run homer and the Houston Astros beat the Yankees 3-1 Friday night to stop New York’s 15-game home winning streak. The 39-year-old right-hander, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, struck out three and walked one, lowering his ERA to 2.22. Rafael Montero, pitching for a third straight day for the first time this season, walked Aaron Hicks with one out and pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter with two outs. At the end of the inning, Donaldson cupped a hand to an ear while looking at the Astros dugout, then shrugged shoulders.

Justin Verlander pitched four-hit ball over seven innings, Kyle Tucker hit a three-run homer and the Houston Astros beat the Yankees 3-1 to stop New York’s 15-game home winning streak.

Aaron Judge lined a game-winning single on the eve of his salary arbitration showdown, capping a four-run ninth inning that included Aaron Hicks’ tying three-run homer off closer Ryan Pressly in the New York Yankees’ 7-6 victory over the Houston Astros.

The Miami Marlins got a solid start from rookie Braxton Garrett and Jon Berti drove in two runs to help them extend their winning streak to five games with a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

Justin Verlander struck out a season-high 12 in seven sparkling innings, Yordan Alvarez hit a two-run homer and the Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 4-1.

Mariners Astros Baseball Both dugouts empty and umpires try to keep order after Seattle Mariners batter Ty France was hit by a pitch from Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 6, 2022, in Houston. Players and coaches on both sides began chirping at each other, and Servais led the way as Seattle's bench emptied to confront the Astros near home palte. Rodríguez hit a two-run homer and J.P. Crawford walked before Neris was ejected after throwing a pitch behind Eugenio Suarez’s head. Raleigh’s three-run homer gave Seattle a 4-1 lead in the second inning, but the Astros scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie it. Mariners starter Robbie Ray (5-6) allowed eight hits and four runs — three earned — while walking three in five innings.

Mariners manager Scott Servais was ejected for his role in a benches-clearing scuffle in the ninth inning of Seattle’s 7-4 win over the Houston Astros, a game in which Cal Raleigh had a career-high four RBIs and Julio Rodriguez hit a late two-run shot.

Astros Red Sox Baseball Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker (30) is congratulated by Yordan Alvarez (44) and Yuli Gurriel, left, after his grand slam during the fourth inning of the team's baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Boston. José Urquidy (3-1) allowed 12 hits and four runs, including home runs to Rafael Devers and J.D. It seemed like it would be a much different night for the Red Sox after Eovaldi needed just five pitches to get Houston out in order in the first inning. BAD COMPANYAccording to MLB.com, since 1974 when inning-by-inning data started, no Red Sox pitcher had given up more than three homers in an inning. Red Sox: RHP Nick Pivetta (1-4, 5.08) has a 2.45 ERA in his last four starts after posting a 10.03 ERA in his first three outings.

The Astros tied the MLB record for most home runs in an inning, hitting five off Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi as part of a nine-run second to help Houston rout Boston 13-4.

Astros Rangers Baseball Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker (30) celebrates with Chas McCormick (20) after hitting a two-run home run in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Thursday, April 28, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) (Tony Gutierrez)ARLINGTON, Texas — (AP) — Kyle Tucker hit a tiebreaking pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-2 in a series finale that began as an impressive duel between starting pitchers. Tucker's two-run blast came off Matt Bush (0-1), the first reliever for Texas after left-hander Martin Perez took a perfect game into the seventh inning before giving up his only run. The only Rangers hit, and only baserunner, before then was No. General manager James Click says Altuve wanted to play a couple of games to get his timing back before rejoining the Astros lineup.

Kyle Tucker hit a tiebreaking pinch-hit homer in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Texas Rangers 3-2.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani pitched perfect ball into the sixth inning, tied a career-best with 12 strikeouts and also had two hits and two RBIs to lead the Los Angeles Angels over the Houston Astros 6-0.

It hasn’t been done in the World Series since Kansas City’s Johnny Cueto in Game 2 in 2015. __8:35 p.m.Atlanta starting pitcher Max Fried has gotten 12 outs over 12 batters for the Braves, who lead 3-0 in Houston after four innings in pursuit of their first World Series title since 1995. Fried allowed a leadoff single for the second inning in a row, but also got a double-play grounder for the second inning in a row. Kyle Tucker opened the Astros second with a grounder, before Alex Bregman fouled out down the right field line and Jose Siri flew out. The Houston Astros stranded runners at second and third base in the first inning of World Series Game 6 against the Atlanta Braves’ Max Fried.

World Series Baseball Atlanta Braves' Dansby Swanson hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. Swanson, the top overall pick in the 2015 amateur draft by Arizona, was the Most Outstanding Player at the 2014 College World Series as he helped Vanderbilt win a national championship. Fried allowed a leadoff single for the second inning in a row, but also got a double-play grounder for the second inning in a row. And if it holds it might have earned him World Series MVP. Kyle Tucker opened the Astros second with a grounder, before Alex Bregman fouled out down the right field line and Jose Siri flew out.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) (Eric Gay)HOUSTON — (AP) — The Latest on Game 6 of the World Series (all times local):7:45 p.m.Atlanta starting pitcher Max Fried needed only eight pitches to retire three straight Houston batters in the bottom of the second inning to keep Game 6 scoreless. Kyle Tucker opened the Astros second with a grounder, before Alex Bregman fouled out down the right field line and Jose Siri flew out. The Houston Astros stranded runners at second and third base in the first inning of World Series Game 6 against the Atlanta Braves’ Max Fried. ___3:10 p.m.Alex Bregman remained seventh in the Houston Astros’ batting order and Carlos Correa third for World Series Game 6 against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night. ___2:45 p.m.Major League Baseball planned to have the retractable roof open at Minute Maid Park for Game 6 of the World Series.

World Series Baseball Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried throws during the first inning in Game 6 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)HOUSTON — (AP) — The Latest on Game 6 of the World Series (all times local):7:30 p.m. The Houston Astros stranded runners at second and third base in the first inning of World Series Game 6 against the Atlanta Braves’ Max Fried. ___3:10 p.m.Alex Bregman remained seventh in the Houston Astros’ batting order and Carlos Correa third for World Series Game 6 against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night. ___2:45 p.m.Major League Baseball planned to have the retractable roof open at Minute Maid Park for Game 6 of the World Series.

Late innings means late nights in the World Series, with many fans struggling to stay awake as the Braves and Astros play baseball’s most important games of the year.

APTOPIX World Series Baseball Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker scores past Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud on a single by Martin Maldonado during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. Surely after Adam Duvall launched one into the tabled seats in right field for a grand slam in the very first inning, the Atlanta Braves would be celebrating their first World Series title since 1995. On their home field, no less, the 5-year-old stadium-slash-shopping mall where they'd been unbeatable through seven postseason games. — The Braves melting down in 1996 when a second straight championship seemed a foregone conclusion after they won the first two World Series games at Yankee Stadium. — The Braves, again, wasting a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year's NL Championship Series.

World Series Baseball Houston Astros' Carlos Correa celebrates his RBI single during the eighth inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. Trailing 3-1 in the Series, Houston is six outs from forcing a Game 6 back home on Tuesday night. Greinke became the first pitcher with a pinch hit in the World Series since Jack Bentley had two of them in 1923. The Houston Astros have reworked their lineup for Game 5, dropping the slumping Alex Bregman from his usual third spot to seventh. Bregman is 1 for 14 in the World Series, and Houston trails Atlanta three games to one.

Trailing 3-1 in the Series, Houston is six outs from forcing a Game 6 back home on Tuesday night. Greinke became the first pitcher with a pinch hit in the World Series since Jack Bentley had two of them in 1923. ___9 p.m.Alex Bregman and the Houston Astros answered quickly in the second inning, scoring twice to trim their deficit to 4-2 against Atlanta. The Houston Astros have reworked their lineup for Game 5, dropping the slumping Alex Bregman from his usual third spot to seventh. Bregman is 1 for 14 in the World Series, and Houston trails Atlanta three games to one.

World Series Baseball Houston Astros' Martin Maldonado celebrates after his RBI-single during the seventh inning in Game 5 of baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in Atlanta. The Braves are running out of at-bats to regain the lead and close out this World Series with a victory at home. Alvarez, the ALCS MVP, is 0 for 4 Sunday and 1 for 15 in the World Series. Greinke became the first pitcher with a pinch hit in the World Series since Jack Bentley had two of them in 1923. The Houston Astros have reworked their lineup for Game 5, dropping the slumping Alex Bregman from his usual third spot to seventh.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)ATLANTA — (AP) — The Latest on Game 5 of the World Series (all times local):11: p.m. The Braves are running out of at-bats to regain the lead and close out this World Series with a victory at home. Alvarez, the ALCS MVP, is 0 for 4 Sunday and 1 for 15 in the World Series. Greinke became the first pitcher with a pinch hit in the World Series since Jack Bentley had two of them in 1923. The Houston Astros have reworked their lineup for Game 5, dropping the slumping Alex Bregman from his usual third spot to seventh.

If A.

Carlos Correa had three hits, Martin Maldonado found three different ways to drive in runs and pinch-hitter Marwin Gonzalez blooped a tiebreaking, two-run single in the fifth inning to lead the Houston Astros over the Atlanta Braves 9-5 and cut their World Series deficit to three games to two.

There are plenty of stars at this World Series, from Freddie Freeman to Jose Altuve.

Time and time again, the Houston Astros put runners on base.

Atlanta Braves lefty Max Fried had a stretch in his first World Series start when he looked like the ace he has been most of the season.

Rookie Jose Siri sparked a team whose biggest stars took a while to shine, sending the Houston Astros to a 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves that evened the World Series at one game apiece.

World Series Baseball Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Luke Jackson throws during the sixth inning of Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)HOUSTON — (AP) — The Latest on Game 1 of the World Series (all times local):10 p.m.Luke Jackson relieved A.J. Minter and threw a scoreless sixth inning, leaving the Atlanta Braves with a 5-1 lead over the Houston Astros in the World Series opener. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman also made nice plays to limit the damage. ___7:30 p.m.Atlanta’s Jorge Soler has become the first batter ever to lead off a World Series with a home run.

World Series Baseball Houston Astros' Kyle Tucker scores on an error during the fourth inning of Game 1 in baseball's World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) (Ashley Landis)HOUSTON — (AP) — The Latest on Game 1 of the World Series (all times local):9:15 p.m. Braves starter Charlie Morton, who won Game 7 of the 2017 World Series for the Astros, also struggled at the outset. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman also made nice plays to limit the damage. 3:10 p.m.Jorge Soler moved up to the Atlanta Braves' leadoff spot for the opener against the Houston Astros and right-hander Charlie Morton.

Two years after winning an AL Rookie of the Year Award, Yordan Alvarez has an AL Championship Series MVP to add to his trophy case.

Boston's bats went quiet for the third straight game and the Red Sox bowed out of the AL Championship Series with a punchless 5-0 loss to the Houston Astros in Game 6.

Rookie Luis García showed the poise of an October ace, MVP Yordan Alvarez stayed hot at the plate and the Houston Astros earned yet another trip to the World Series, beating the Boston Red Sox 5-0 in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series.

Once again, in a key spot in October, the Boston Red Sox summoned Nathan Eovaldi from the bullpen in a tight game.

The Astros are facing renewed suspicions over sign stealing two years after being punished by the league for a scandal during their 2017 World Series run. Tepera, who worked two perfect innings, noted the difference between the Astros at home and on the road. They’ll be in action this time, too, with higher stakes -- Game 4 of the AL Division Series against Tampa Bay. SCHERZER STRINGSDodgers ace Max Scherzer is riding a pair of long streaks going into his start in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against the Giants. “That’s like the highlight of the year,” Cora said before Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the Rays.

Jose Siri and Chas McCormick hit back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning, rallying the AL West-leading Houston Astros over the Arizona Diamondbacks 7-6 on Sunday. Carlos Correa also homered as the Astros held their comfortable division lead over Oakland. Houston won for the fourth time in five games and cut Tampa Bay’s lead for the best record in the AL to 3 ½ games.

Astros Padres Baseball San Diego Padres' Jake Cronenworth reacts after hitting a walk-off home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, in San Diego. He didn't look that way moments later when Cronenworth connected, immediately punching his glove with his right hand. The Padres celebrated at the plate with a win that put them back into the lead for the second NL wild-card spot. The Astros tied it in the seventh when Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa homered on consecutive pitches off Chris Paddack. Jose Altuve hit a leadoff double and Michael Brantley reached on a throwing error by Cronenworth at shortstop.

Jake Meyers had the last of three singles as part of Houston’s eighth-inning rally against former teammate Joe Smith, scoring Kyle Tucker with the go-ahead run and sending the Astros over the Seattle Mariners 4-3 on Monday night. Dylan Moore had a pinch-hit, two-run homer for Seattle in the sixth for a 3-2 lead.

Red Sox Astros Baseball Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy reacts after striking out Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts during the sixth inning of a baseball game Monday, May 31, 2021, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip)HOUSTON — (AP) — Kyle Tucker had a season-best three hits and tied a career high with four RBIs as the Houston Astros beat former bench coach Alex Cora and the Boston Red Sox 11-2 on Monday. This was the first time Cora, now managing the Red Sox, had faced the Astros since being suspended in 2020 for his role in Houston's sign-stealing scheme while with the team in 2017. Cora helped Houston win the World Series in 2017, then guided Boston to the 2018 title. He was fired by the Red Sox after his suspension, then rehired last November.