Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh attempts to make a diving catch against the Houston Astros in the 2022 World Series. Photo by Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
With their loss in Game 5 of the World Series on Thursday night, the Philadelphia Phillies now have a very uphill climb against the Houston Astros.
Heading back to Houston with a 3-2 deficit and with the Astros needing just one win to capture their first World Series title since 2017, the Phillies will need to get much better production at the plate if they have any hope to win two consecutive games at Minute Maid Park.
Also this: The Phillies haven’t had a hit with runners in scoring position since Game 1 of this series (0 for last 18 through the 3rd inning).
FROM ELIAS: The last team to have a hitless streak with RISP that long in the World Series was the 2008 Phillies (0-19).
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 4, 2022
That streak would go to 0-for-20 before Jean Segura’s RBI single that pulled the Phillies within 3-2 in the eighth.
3 Phillies most to blame for World Series Game 5 loss to Houston
3. Brandon Marsh
It was an interesting night in the outfield for Marsh, who started the evening on the wrong foot by misplaying a leadoff double by Jose Altuve, then bobbling the ball and allowing Houston’s second baseman to reach third base on the gaffe.
The hit was originally ruled a triple, but you can see Altuve stutter and stop at second before deciding he can make third after Marsh fumbles the ball.
JOSE ALTUVE LEADOFF TRIPLE!! Followed by a single and it’s 1-0 Astros
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) November 4, 2022
At the plate, with the Phillies rallying and down 3-2, Marsh struck out with one out in the eighth and a runner on third. It was part of an 0-for-2 night with two strikeouts, dropping Marsh’s batting average in the postseason to .189.