Astros win Game 5 in Atlanta, 9-5

COBB COUNTY — Game 5 of the World Series is officially underway at Truist Park. The Atlanta Braves, up 3-1 in the series, are aiming for their first title in 26 years. The Houston Astros, on the brink of elimination, need a win to survive.

Tucker Davidson started the game for the Braves while the Astros sent Framber Valdez to the mound.

Unable to get a ticket to the big game or can’t watch it? Follow along with live updates here.

Bottom 8th inning

Austin Riley isn’t giving up yet. He now has 2 singles and double on the night.

Top 8th inning

The umpire crew reviews a play at second base after Jose Altuve is called safe for beating the tag by Dansby Swanson. The replay booth in New York said the call stands

Top 5th inning

Astros load the bases and Minter walks Martin Maldonado to allow Houston to tie the game, 5-5.

With the next at-bat, Marwin Gonzalez scores two runs with his single to give Houston 7-5 lead.

Bottom 4th inning

Jorge Soler nearly made it a 7-4 ballgame. His foul ball missed by a few feet and hit a fan in the face. She appeared to be OK as she walked away to cheers from the other fans in her section.

Top 4th inning

Jesse Chavez’s night is done. A.J. Minter, who has been on fire all postseason, enters the game.

Bottom 3rd inning

MV-Free comes through for Atlanta! Freeman’s solo shot to right field puts Atlanta ahead 5-4.

Top 3rd inning

Dansby Swanson is charged with error that allows Jose Altuve to reach first base. After a walk to Michael Brantley, Davidson’s night is done.

The left-handed rookie threw 53 pitches, one strikeout and three walks. Snitker goes to Jesse Chavez in the bullpen.

Carlos Correa brings the game within one with an RBI double. A sacrifice from Yuli Gurriel allows Brantley to score and tie the game 4-4.

Bottom 2nd inning

Valdez gets a 1-2-3 inning against the bottom of the Braves order. Atlanta still leads 4-2.

Top 2nd inning

Alex Bregman’s double to center field scores the Astros first run of the night. A sacrifice fly from Martin Maldonado cuts the Braves lead, 4-2.

Bottom 1st inning, Braves lead 4-0

GRAND SLAM ADAM DUVALL! The outfielder knocked out a deep shot into the Chop House to give the Braves a 4-0 lead.

Jorge Soler led off with a single to left field. Ozzie Albies reaches first on fielder’s choice but Soler is out at second base. Austin Riley hit a deep double to left field to advance Albies to third base for Eddie Rosario.

Rosario drew a walk to load the bases up for Duvall.

Pre-game

Greg Maddux, HOF and 1995 World Series champion, threw out the first pitch to loud cheers from the crowd. Dale Murphy kept the crowd pumped with “Let’s Play Ball.”

Georgia native

GAME PREVIEW

Is this real life or is this just fantasy? It’s the first line to the Queen song Bohemian Rhapsody and a question the Atlanta Braves and their fans are asking ahead of Sunday night’s World Series Game 5.

Yes, it’s true, the Braves won a wild Game 4, 3-2 to take a commanding three games to one lead in the series. With a win Sunday night, the Braves would be the World Champions for the first time since 1995.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2 Action News has previewed every game of the playoffs for you. Here’s a look at what you can expect for Game 5.

Game Preview:

Matchup: Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros, Game 5. Atlanta leads the best-of-seven series three games to one.

Tickets: The game is sold out. There are tickets available on the secondary market, but they are going to cost you a lot of money. The Braves watch party on the lawn at the Battery is free.

Weather: Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Eboni Deon said to make sure you bring a coat. Temperatures will start in the upper 50′s at game time, dropping to the lower 50′s throughout the night.

Starting Pitchers: Framber Valdez starts for the Astros. Valdez pitched in Game 1. Valdez did not get out of the third inning and the Braves won the game 6-2.

The Braves have not named a starting pitcher at this time. The expectation is they’ll turn to a second straight bullpen game with possibly Jesse Chavez opening the game. They could also try bringing back Max Fried on short rest with the hope of finishing Houston Sunday night. Stay tuned.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Swanson, Soler home runs push Braves past Astros in World Series Game 4
• If you want to go to Game 5 of the World Series, it’s going to cost you
• Play me a song: Braves organist charms fans, amuses players

Key Storylines: The Astros came into the series as arguably the highest scoring team in baseball. With the exception of Game 2, the Braves have largely kept them in check. Leadoff hitter Jose Altuve has been heating up, but the rest of the lineup has not been able to keep pace.

Valdez returns to the mound on regular rest, but manager Dusty Baker used several of his top relievers Saturday night including closer Ryan Pressley who threw over 35 pitches.

For the Braves, the question again is pitching. Can the bullpen hold things together for one more night? Outside of Kyle Wright, Ian Anderson and maybe Fried, everyone else should be available if needed.

Eddie Rosario continues to hit almost everything thrown to him but the rest of the Braves offense has struggled. They’ve done enough to win in clutch situations, but they’ll need to score some runs in order to win tonight.

Channel 2 Action News will have LIVE TEAM COVERAGE of Game 5 both BEFORE and AFTER the game. Make sure to watch Channel 2 Action News at 6 and WSB Tonight at 11 for the latest updates.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Residents of the Georgia Aquarium show their support for the Atlanta Braves (Georgia Aquarium)

©2021 Cox Media Group