Nationals Come Back to Beat Astros, Force World Series Game 7

The Nationals fought off elimination in Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday as Washington defeated the Astros 7-2 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Houston will host Game 7 of the World Series on Wednesday. 

The Nationals jumped out to a 1–0 lead in the first inning on Tuesday, but the Astros quickly responded with a pair of runs against Washington starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg. Houston outfielder George Springer led off the with a double off the leftfield wall, and third baseman Alex Bregman followed with a towering shot into the Crawford Boxes. 

Washington answered in the fifth. Adam Eaton tied the game with a solo home run to tie the game at 2-2, and Juan Soto followed with a massive blast two batters later. Soto even matched Bregman's celebration as he trotted down the first-base line. 

Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon extended Washington's lead in the seventh inning with a two-run homer. His dinger came after some controversy when shortstop Trea Turner was called out for runner's interference early in the inning. Nationals manager Dave Martinez was ejected before the bottom of the seventh for arguing the call. 

Strasburg was brilliant after that first inning homer to Bregman. He threw 8 1/3 innings on Tuesday, giving up just those two runs on 104 pitches. He pitched out of a few jams and allowing the Nationals to rest their bullpen for Game 7.

Max Scherzer is scheduled to start for Washington on Wednesday. He was scratched from his Game 5 start on Sunday due to neck and back spasms. 

Zack Greinke will start Game 7 for Houston. He allowed one earned run in 4 2/3 innings in the Astros' Game 3 win on Oct. 25.