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Astros Beat Dodgers 7-6 To Tie The 2017 World Series

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was MVP of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees.
Eric Christian Smith AP
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander was MVP of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees.

The Houston Astros won a wild 11-inning see-saw battle beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 in Game 2 of the World Series.

Astros center-fielder George Springer smacked a two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning silencing fans at Dodgers Stadium after their team had tied the game in the bottom of the 10th inning at 5-5.

The Dodgers struck back in the bottom of the 11th inning with a solo homer by pinch-hitter Charlie Culberson. But that was all the Dodgers could muster against Astros reliever Chris Devenski.

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The Astros' victory ties the series at one game a piece with the action moving to Houston on Friday. The Astros have not lost a game at home in this post-season.

"We're never out of it and we have a lineup that's really scary when it's on," said Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, who had three hits and two RBI's.

The Dodgers looked like they were headed to victory after seven innings when they led the game 3-1. Those three runs came off of Astros ace Justin Verlander who had appeared to be in control of the game giving up only two hits: a solo homer by the Dodgers Joc Pederson in the 5th inning and a two-run shot by Corey Seager in the 6th.

But Houston began clawing back in the 8th inning against Dodger closer Kenley Jansen. They scored one run on a ground-rule double by Alex Bregman and a single by Carlos Correa, making the game 3-2. That run ended a string of 28 scoreless innings by Los Angeles' vaunted bullpen.

Houston tied the game at 3-3 when Marwin Gonzalez hit a solo homer in the top of the 9th inning. The Dodgers went quietly in their half of the 9th, sending the game into extra innings.

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That's when Houston, the most potent offense in baseball this year, showed signs of life with back-to-back homeruns by Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa in the top of the 10th inning, making the game 5-3.

It was the Dodgers turn to get back in the game when right-fielder Yasiel Puig launched a solo shot in the bottom of the 10th inning. A walk, a wild pitch and then a single by pinch-hitter Enrique Hernandez off of Astros closer Ken Giles tied the game at 5-5.

Astros starter Verlander pitched six innings. The Dodger's starter, Rich Hill, was pulled after four innings, despite striking out seven batters. But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts elected to go to his bullpen early, a strategy that had worked well until tonight.

The game featured eight homeruns. It will likely be remembered for the fact that the Dodgers bullpen—a team strength all year—couldn't hold a lead when it mattered most.

Updated at 12:41 a.m. ET

In a dramatic, 11-inning contest, the Astros even the series at one game a piece. It's Houston's first-ever World Series game win.

Updated at 12:32 a.m. ET

The Dodgers' Charlie Cuberson hit a home run in the bottom of the 11th inning.

Updated at 12:15 a.m. ET

After the Dodgers rallied to tie the game 5-5 in the 11th inning, the Astros answered back with a two-run homer.

Updated at 11: 35 p.m. ET

Houston has a 5-3 lead over Los Angeles in the tenth inning of Game 2 of the World Series.

Our previous post:

Los Angeles Dodgers have taken a 3-1 lead in Game 2 of the World Series with a two-run home run by shortstop Corey Seager off Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander in the bottom of the 6th inning.

Verlander had appeared in command of the game, retiring the first two batters he faced in the sixth, before walking Chris Taylor and then watching Seager drive a pitch out of Dodger Stadium.

In the fifth, Dodgers left fielder Joc Pederson broke up a no-hit bid by Verlander with a solo home run, tying the game at 1-1.

The Astros had taken a one-run lead over the Dodgers, scoring on a series of singles in the top of third. After an infield single by Josh Reddick, a bunt by Verlander, and another single by George Springer, first baseman Alex Bregman roped yet another single to center field, scoring Reddick.

Verlander then retired the Dodgers in the bottom of the third, and held the Angelenos hitless over four innings.

Dodgers starter Rich Hill recovered from the Astros' single run by striking out the dangerous Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.

Neither starting pitcher made it through the whole game.

The Dodgers took the first game of the Series 3-1 Tuesday, with starter Clayton Kershaw handcuffing the Astros. Kershaw needed only 83 pitches to strike out 11 batters and hold them to one run on three hits.

This story will be updated during the game.

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