11/4/22 Hometown Broadcasting Sports Friday
4 November 2022 Sports
Friday Sports
From Wayne Mausser
Incredible defensive plays by Chas McCormick and Trey Mancini late in the Astros tension-filled 3-2 win over the Phillies in Game 5 of the World Series were as instrumental to their win as Justin Verlander’s gritty five innings, Jeremy Pena’s homer and closer Ryan Pressly’s five-0ut save. There was no shortage of heroes for the Astros, and McCormick and Mancini were at the top of the list.
And with that, the Astros are one win away from their second World Series championship since 2017. Houston leads the best-of-seven series 3-2 and will send All-Star left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound in Game 6 on Saturday night at Minute Maid Park.
Mancini, who was acquired from the Orioles at the Trade Deadline, has struggled mightily with his bat in Houston but found a way to contribute with this glove. In the seventh inning, with the Astros leading, 2-1, Mancini pinch-hit for the injured Yuli Gurriel and struck out swinging, dropping him to 0-for-18 in the postseason. His big moment would come soon enough.
With the Astros holding a tenuous 3-2 lead in the eighth and runners at first and third base and two outs, Schwarber scorched a liner down the first-base line. Mancini, who was signaled by bench coach Joe Espada to guard the line moments earlier, found the ball in his glove on a short hop as his momentum carried him into foul territory. He stepped on the bag and the threat was over
As big as Mancini’s defensive play loomed, it took a back seat to McCormick’s amazing catch in the ninth. With one out, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hit a fly ball to right field that McCormick corralled with a leaping catch at the wall. He reached up with his left hand and squeezed it, falling to the ground and stunning the sellout crowd.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a single by Jeremy Pena driving in Jolse Altuve only to have Kyle Schwarber tie the game with a home in the bottom of the inning. Pena then homered in the 4th to give Houston a 2-1 lead. The Astros scored a run in the top of the 8th but Jean Segura singled to drive in Nick Castellanos to close the gap but the Astros held on.
Justin Verlander pitched the first five innings giving up one run on four hits while striking out six and walking four to pick up his first World Series win. Philies starter Noah Syndergaard (02) lasted three innings, giving up two runs on three hits and took the loss.
The teams are off Friday before the series shifts to Houston for game six on Saturday. If necessary game seven would be Sunday.
The Packers(3-5) finish up their three-game road trip at Detroit Sunday, trying to snap a four-geme losing streak. The Lions (1-6) have lost five straight and are trying to avoid their first five-game losing streak since 2008. Green Bay ranks 26th of 32 NFL teams in points per game (18.1) and has been hindered by injuries to its receiving corps.
“We’re not looking at it as the season is over,” said Detroit running back Jamaal Williams, a former Packer. “We still got games to play and there’s still great players in his locker ready to go to work.”
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers says the Green Bay Packers are optimistic they can turn their season around and earn a fourth straight playoff berth evem though they didn’t make any additions at the trade dealine Tuesday..
“That just sent the message to us that we’ve got to play with the guys we’ve got and win with the guys we’ve got,” the MVP quarterback said Wednesday. “I think there’s still a lot of confidence in the guys in the locker room.
“I do feel like we need to get healthy.”
Green Bay instead stood pat while a couple of other NFC North teams added playmakers, with the division-leading Minnesota Vikings acquiring tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears getting wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Green Bay’s players and coaches are too focused on their upcoming game at Detroit (1-6) to worry about personnel moves that were or weren’t made. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins said he believes the Packers already have enough talent to win.
“I think when you look at this team, you pretty much have everything you need,” Watkins said. “Would (a trade) have brought some more life? I mean, who says it would have or wouldn’t? I think this team has the players they need. If they didn’t, I’m sure the GM would have gone out there and traded for someone.”
Guard Elgton Jenkins (knee, foot) and wide receiver Christian Watson (concussion) saw limited practice time on Thursday.
Sunday’s game begins at noon and can be heard on FM 1023, The Bug, with the pregame starting at 10:00.
In Thursday Night Football Philadelphia (8-0) remained undefeated with a hard-fought 29-17 win at Houston over the Texans (1-6-1).
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts completed 21-27 for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Dallas Goedert caught eight passes for 100 yards and a touchdown and A. J. Brown caught the other scoring pass. Miles Sanders rushed 17 times for 93 yards and a touchdown.
The Texans’ Davis Mills was 13-22 for 154 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Damian Piece rushed 27 times for 139 yards.
The high school football level three playoffs continue tonight. One of the area teams participating is Fond du Lac Saint Mary’s Springs which plays Coleman.
In the NBA tonight the Bucks (7-0) will try to stay undefeated as they play at Minnesota. Milwaukee matched a franchise record seventh straight win to open the season Wednesday night with a 116-91 home victory over Detroit.
In college football Saturday, Wisconsin hosts Maryland. Kickoff is at 1:00 and the game can be heard on AM 1600/93.FM, WRPN.
Elsewhere in local college action, undefeated Ripon College (8-0, 7-0) is at Monmouth. Kickoff is at 1:00.
UW-Oshkosh (4-4, 2-3) is at UW-Stevens Point with the kickoff at 1:00.
Lawrence University hosts the University of Chicago with the kickoff at 1:00.
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