Houston Astros blitz LA Dodgers bullpen to level World Series

An 11th-inning two-run homer by George Springer sealed a remarkable win for the Astros to level the World Series.

George Springer of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the 11th inning against the LA Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Picture: AFP

Houston’s home-run hero George Springer said the support of Astros manager AJ Hinch had proved crucial after his 11th-inning blast downed the Los Angeles Dodgers to level the World Series.

Springer smashed a two-run homer to give the Astros a game-winning lead at Dodger Stadium to complete a thrilling turnaround as the series heads to Texas for game three on Saturday (AEDT).

Marwin Gonzalez homered for the Astros in the ninth to tie it at 3-3. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa ripped back-to-back homers in the top of the 10th to put Houston up 5-3.

Undaunted, the Dodgers responded in the bottom of the 10th with a lead-off homer from Yasiel Puig. With two outs in the 10th, Astros relief pitcher Ken Giles walked Logan Forsythe, who reached second on a passed ball and raced home when Enrique Hernandez belted a single to right field.

With the score at 5-5, Dodgers relief pitcher Brandon McCarthy surrendered a single to Cameron Maybin to open the 11th. Springer followed to put the Astros ahead for good — although the Dodgers made it 7-6 with Charlie Culberson’s homer in the bottom of the 11th.

It was a personal triumph for 28-year-old centre-fielder Springer, who had been plagued by poor form so far in the Astros’ post-season campaign.

In game one on Wednesday, Springer went 0-4 with four strikeouts, once again fuelling speculation about his place in the starting line-up.

Astros manager Hinch, however, had publicly declared his support for the embattled slugger, insisting he retained confidence in him.

“George Springer has way more good days than bad days, and way more good stretches than bad stretches,” Hinch told reporters just a few hours before game two got under way. “So I’m going to continue to encourage him. He’s going to lead off.”

Hinch’s faith in Springer was granted a spectacular reward with his dramatic knockout blow.

“That’s an incredible game on so many levels, so many ranges of emotion,” Hinch said. “That’s one of the most incredible games you’ll ever be a part of.”

Springer later admitted the words of support from Hinch had found their mark.

“It was huge,” Springer said. “Obviously didn’t have my best game last night, and as a player you tend to know it.

“So for him to have my back and to say that ‘Hey, you’re still going to hit first, and you’re still going to set the tone for us,’ it slowed me down,” Springer said.

“For him to have my back, it means the world to me. ”

AFP