Game 5 of the 2019 World Series

Lore & Background

Game 5 of the 2019 World Series is revered as the moment the Washington Nationals shed their underdog skin. Trailing 3-1 in the series, they faced the Astros' ace Gerrit Cole, who had been nearly untouchable. The game began as a tense pitcher's duel between Cole and Max Scherzer, but the Nationals' bats awakened in the fifth inning. Juan Soto, then a 20-year-old phenom, launched a two-run home run that gave the Nationals a lead they would never relinquish, igniting a raucous crowd at Nationals Park.

Reader's Guide

Game 5 of the 2019 World Series was a must-win for the Washington Nationals, who trailed the Houston Astros 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Played at Nationals Park, the game featured a marquee pitching matchup between Max Scherzer and Gerrit Cole. The Astros struck first with a run in the fourth, but the Nationals answered in the fifth. Juan Soto's two-run home run off Cole was the decisive blow, followed by a two-run double from Anthony Rendon. The Nationals' bullpen, including Sean Doolittle, held the Astros scoreless over the final four innings. This victory forced a Game 6 in Houston, where the Nationals would win again to set up a decisive Game 7. The game is remembered for its dramatic shift in momentum, Soto's clutch hitting, and the resilience of a team that refused to lose.

Did You Know?

• Juan Soto became the second-youngest player to hit a go-ahead home run in a World Series elimination game, behind only Mickey Mantle.
• Max Scherzer pitched 5 innings with 7 strikeouts, battling through a back injury that had limited him in earlier starts.
• The Nationals' bullpen allowed just 1 run over the final 4 innings, a stark contrast to their struggles earlier in the series.