ATLANTA — There are plenty of ways to win a game in the World Series.
Atlanta, on Friday night, found this peculiar one: Start with an “effectively wild” starting pitcher, and add an offense that mustered a lone run in an inning that featured seven batters. Finish things off with a bullpen that nearly pulled off a combined no-hitter and slammed the door regardless. A late home run for insurance purposes did not hurt.
But Atlanta did not need the insurance. The Braves won, 2-0, to maneuver around the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the World Series, taking a lead of two games to one in the best-of-seven showdown.