Verlander, one of the most decorated pitchers of his generation and a surefire Hall of Famer, won his first career World Series game in his ninth try. The veteran right-hander pitched downhill, gathering momentum through his five innings and then watching as the bullpen bobbed and weaved through trouble toward a 3-2 victory against Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park in Game 5.
Verlander’s first win puts the Astros one win away from a title.
As the best-of-seven series shifts back to Minute Maid Park for the weekend, Houston leads, three games to two.
Rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena snapped a 1-1 tie with a solo homer in the fourth inning that gave the Astros’ a lead with Verlander still on the mound.