Astros-Phillies World Series Game 5 highlights and takeaways

Game 5 of the 2022 World Series is Thursday night, and the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros are battling for a 3-2 lead in the series.

Houston’s bullpen made history in Game 4, throwing the first combined no-hitter in MLB postseason history, according to ESPN Stats & Information investigation. Astros pitcher Cristian Javier dominated the Phillies’ lineup, throwing nine strikeouts in six innings. Relief from Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly ended things. It was a marked contrast to Game 3, where the Phillies smashed five home runs ahead of the Astros.

Thursday’s competition will be the last in Philly before the series returns to Houston. Will the Astros return home with a 3-2 advantage or will the Phillies bounce back from a disappointing Game 4?

Here are the best moments and takeaways from Game 5:

Playoff Peña strikes again

Jeremy Peña’s magical postseason continues.

The Astros shortstop hit a solo homer in the fourth inning to give Houston a 2-1 lead. The home run wasn’t easy as Peña battled Phillies starter Noah Syndergaard throughout the at-bat. Syndergaard got off to a quick start, with a sweeping shot and two fouls to level the score at 0-2. Peña then laid down a boundary pusher to set up a 1-2 count before Syndergaard threw another ball to bring the count up to 2-2.

On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Peña curveballed the baseball over the fence at 76.7 mph.

With two hits in Game 5, Peña became the first-ever rookie shortstop to hit in five straight World Series games. – Joon Lee

The rookie strikes again! #worldseries pic.twitter.com/U8fEwGUxSR

— MLB (@MLB) November 4, 2022

Hot first inning

Game 5 got off to a fast start.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve started the first at-bat of the game with a brace that bounced off the right midfield fence and bounced past Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh, allowing Altuve to advance to third base. Astro’s shortstop Jeremy Peña came through immediately, hitting midfield in the first field of his at-bat game against Philadelphia starter Noah Syndergaard to meet Altuve and make it 1-0.

2 batters in and the @astros have the lead! #worldseries pic.twitter.com/tL8JQNYxfU

— MLB (@MLB) November 4, 2022

Philly immediately rebounded in the bottom half of the inning. On Astros starter Justin Verlander’s second pitch of the game, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber blasted a line drive homer over the right fence to level the score at 1-1. – Joon Lee

GREAT JOB KYLE pic.twitter.com/VeFn9BFJPM

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) November 4, 2022

Hometown heroes

Philadelphia pulls out all the stops to bring good vibes to Citizens Bank Park.

Before Game 4, rapper Meek Mill performed “Dreams and Nightmare” on the field to hype the Phillies fan before exiting the field on a 4-wheeler with the Phillie Phanatic. Two Philadelphia icons pull out all the stops to cheer on the hometown team.

It is not yet known if The Phanatic will get a guest appearance on Meek’s next album. – Joon Lee

Meek Mill and Phillie Phanatic: the crossover I never knew I needed pic.twitter.com/hPqLQtFxOQ

– Joon Lee (@joonlee) November 4, 2022

dressing for their cities

H-Town vs. Philly pic.twitter.com/sX4rPPwanO

— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) November 3, 2022

.@Phillies All the Way@Mronesx_ | #Red October pic.twitter.com/ezmFS3PWmN

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 3, 2022

Fashion before the game

Bryce brings the 🔥 with this jacket. #worldseries pic.twitter.com/b36FqZbNtQ

— MLB (@MLB) November 3, 2022

powder blue

The Phillies will be rocking their powder blue vintage uniforms in Game 5.

Bring the powder blues to the World Series pic.twitter.com/UwOCpqingU

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) November 3, 2022