The Atlanta Braves moved to within three victories of the world championship after winning Game 1 of the 2021 World Series against the Houston Astros. Jorge Soler starred for the Braves in their 6-2 win, becoming the first player in MLB history to begin a World Series with a home run.
Soler makes history with leadoff blast in Game 1
That set the tone for the Braves, who scored a total of five runs in the first three innings. After Soler opened the scoring with his leadoff blast, Austin Riley drove in another run in the top of the first inning with a double to score Ozzie Albies.
Soler then recorded his second RBI in the top of the second inning, with his groundout scoring Travis D'Arnaud. In the top of the third inning, Adam Duvall broke the game wide open, hitting a two-run homer to give Atlanta a 5-0 lead. That run support was more than enough for the Braves pitchers, who allowed just two runs the entire evening.
However, Atlanta's victory came at a huge price as ace Charlie Morton suffered a fractured right fibula in Game 1. He picked up the injury in the bottom of the second inning when Houston Astros' first baseman Yuli Gurriel hit him with a 102.4 mph comebacker.
Morton managed to retire the next two batters and even faced Jose Altuve to start the bottom of the third inning. Morton was noticeably in pain when he delivered his final pitch to Altuve, a curveball that found the bottom of the strike zone. He exited the game 16 pitches after his leg was initially hit.
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Braves rotation gets even thinner with Morton injury
Morton was superb during the 2021 regular season, going 14-6 with a 3.34 ERA in 185 ⅔ innings pitched. Morton provided the much-needed postseason experience to the Braves as he was making his third World Series appearance in the last five years.
Morton's injury is a big blow to the Braves, who entered the World Series with only a three-man rotation. Atlanta was already planning a bullpen game in Game 4, and the Braves will need another one in Game 5 with Morton sidelined unless they use Max Fried as Wednesday's Game 2 starter, on short rest.
Fortunately for the Braves, they were able to grab the win in Game 1 despite Morton's early departure. In Morton's absence, A.J. Minter stepped up big time, allowing just one run on three hits in 2.2 innings of action following the latter's exit. He threw a career-high 43 pitches and was rewarded with the victory in the series opener.
It was a disappointing defeat for the Astros, who made their first World Series appearance since their sign-stealing scandal was revealed. Jose Urquidy will get the start for Houston in Game 2. He struggled mightily in his last start against the Boston Red Sox, allowing six runs (five earned) in just 1.2 innings of action. Dusty Baker selected Urquidy to be his starter for Game 2 to give Luis Garcia more rest.
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