Game 5 thriller sends Astros on cusp of crown

Washington – Houston rookie Jeremy Peña had a home run and a run-scoring single and star pitcher Justin Verlander battled through five innings as the Astros edged the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 to move to the brink of another World Series title.

The Astros took a 3-2 lead in Major League Baseball’s Championship showcase and could close it out at home when the series shifts to Houston for Game 6 on Saturday.

“We’re just trying to stay grounded,” Peña said. “We’re going to just lock back in and play our game.”

One night after Houston starting pitcher Cristian Javier and three relievers combined for a no-hitter, Verlander had to grind through another World Series start.

Verlander was able to escape a bases-loaded jam in the second inning and induced a fly out from Bryson Stott to strand two Phillies runners in the third. He was credited with a win for the first time in nine World Series starts.

After Verlander retired Nick Castellanos in a 10-pitch at-bat to end the fifth, Verlander exchanged a long hug with Astros manager Dusty Baker in the dugout.

“Well, it was battle and that’s what he said,” Baker said.