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Astros 5, Phillies 0 | World Series tied, 2-2
Cristian Javier and three relievers shut down the powerful Philadelphia Phillies, tying the World Series and accomplishing a feat that hadn’t happened since 1956.
By Scott Miller
PHILADELPHIA — Pitching like a Game 1 starter, the young right-hander Cristian Javier put on a clinic on a night Houston was in need of something spectacular, throwing six no-hit innings at Philadelphia and combining with three relievers for the first combined no-hitter in World Series history.
Javier’s outing positioned the Astros for a 5-0, World Series-tying win in a Game 4 classic. Bryan Abreu struck out the side in the seventh inning, Rafael Montero worked a 1-2-3 eighth and Ryan Pressly lifted the Astros into the history books with a hitless ninth inning, delivering the third no-hitter of any type in postseason history and only the second to come in the World Series.
Javier’s fastball on Wednesday was called “electric” (Houston Manager Dusty Baker), “very, very electric” (catcher Christian Vázquez) and “super nasty” (Astros pitching coach Josh Miller). Though Javier’s fastball only registers between 92 and 94 miles per hour, the Philadelphia slugger Kyle Schwarber said “it’s playing up a little bit harder than that” and Bryce Harper added “he’s got spin rate — 93 looks like 97.”
Javier is deceptive and difficult and, in leaving the Phillies’ heads spinning in Game 4, he was historic.
Only Don Larsen of the Yankees has ever thrown a solo no-hitter in the World Series. That was a perfect game in Game 5 in 1956, when catcher Yogi Berra famously leaped into Larsen’s arms to celebrate. On Wednesday, Houston’s catcher, Vázquez, had his choice of pitchers with whom to celebrate.
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