Martín Maldonado made a calculated move in the World Series, crowding the plate more than usual to increase his chances of getting on base. He later admitted he did it on purpose, saying he knew he had to find a way to help the team despite playing with a broken hand and a sports hernia. In the sixth inning, he leaned over the plate and got hit by a pitch. It wasn’t obvious if he stuck his elbow out, but he was right on the edge of the legal batter’s box. The Phillies challenged, but replays confirmed it was a hit-by-pitch, and Maldonado took first. That small moment mattered. Altuve came in as a runner and advanced to third on a single, something Maldonado couldn’t have done with his injuries.
That set the stage for Yordan Alvarez. With two men on, the Astros pulled off the biggest swing of the night. Alvarez crushed a 99 mph fastball dead center, smashing a massive three-run homer that felt like the final blow. Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler was pulled just before that for lefty José Alvarado, a move that backfired. The ball soared deep into a part of the stadium few have seen a hit reach. Fans were stunned, and the stadium lit up. That homer shifted everything. Houston’s dugout went wild, and Dusty Baker finally got his first ring. From sneaky at-bats to towering home runs, it was a wild ride for Houston and a nightmare turn for Philly.