HOUSTON — Atlanta stepped into its first World Series since 1999 sharply, quickly and memorably. Jorge Soler blasted Framber Valdez’s third pitch of the game deep over the left-field fence, putting an immediate charge into the 117th World Series: It was the first time in Series history that a batter had homered to start the top of the first inning.
Valdez, who left a 2-and-0 slider up and over the plate, failed to regain his balance as Atlanta poured it on from there. By the end of the third inning, Atlanta had scored five times, Valdez had been chased from the game, and the Astros were well on their way to losing their fifth consecutive home World Series game.