70 Incredible Stats and Facts From the 2017 World Series
Game 6
With Justin Verlander rolling early, George Springer broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run. It was his fourth dinger that either tied the game or gave the Astros a lead, joining Gene Tenace (1972) as the only players to ever do that in a Fall Classic. (Whammy!)
But wait, there's more! This was the third consecutive game Springer hit such a homer, joining Lou Gehrig as the only players accomplish such a feat.
OK, OK -- one more Springer stat. He's only one homer away from tying Lenny Dykstra for the most postseason homers for a leadoff man. However, he already tied him when we limit the sample to just the World Series.
The Astros and Dodgers also combined to hit the most homers ever in a Fall Classic, with one game to go.
Verlander got the loss in this potential title-clinching game, but it wasn't because of his overall performance. Only seven other pitchers have struck out seven or more hitters in this situation. Verlander became the third hurler to watch his team lose.
He's also just the third pitcher to strike out at least nine hitters, not allow a walk, and not get a win. He joins Curt Schilling (2001) and Don Newcombe (1949) in this particular bad-luck group.
Rich Hill struck out at least five hitters in each of his two World Series starts. He joins Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez as the only hurlers aged 37 or older to have multiple performances like that since 2000. Imagine if the Dodgers let him pitch a third time through the order.
Brandon Morrow pitched again, becoming the fourth pitcher ever to appear in each of the first six games of the World Series. This is the first time it's happened since Felix Rodriguez did it in 2002 for the Giants.
Cody Bellinger struck out four times (again), giving him his second golden sombrero in the World Series. That's never been done before.
His 14 strikeouts overall have also set a new World Series record.
Chase Utley scored the go-ahead run in this contest, making the 38-year-old the oldest player to do that in an elimination game since Enos Slaughter in 1957.
