PHILADELPHIA — It took the least experienced starter in the October-ready Houston rotation to pitch the Astros back into the World Series with a dramatic, dominant performance never seen before in November and not seen at this level in ages.
Cristian Javier pitched six no-hit innings to overwhelm the Phillies and start Houston toward a combined no-hitter and 5-0 victory Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
At some point in the late innings, the sellout crowd in South Philly, a 45,693-strong group that included Bruce Springsteen, shifted from buzzing for a win and a commanding lead in the Fall Classic to wishing for a hit as some way to avoid a loss becoming history.