To say that the way Game 7 of the World Series ended was not how the Astros had it drawn up would be an understatement.
In a World Series where the home field advantage meant absolutely nothing, the Astros built a 2-0 lead over the Washington Nationals, only to watch that lead disappear, helping the Nats clinch their first World Series title with a 6 to 2 win.
The Astros struck first, as Yuli Gurriel hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. Carlos Correa added an RBI double in the fifth. But that was all the damage the Astros did. as they left ten runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Zack Greinke, for six innings, made the lead stand up. He got into trouble in the 7th. Giving up a homer to Richmond native Anthony Rendon. He would walk Juan Soto, and then get pulled from the game by manager A.J. Hinch. Will Harris came in, and surrendered the two-run homer to Howie Kendrick that gave the Nats the lead for good.
"He just made a championship play. I tip my hat to them for beating me today," Harris said after the game.
Hinch gave credit to the Nationals for what they did.
"This is about the Nationals. This is not about not performing at home or anything we didn't do," Hinch explained.
Callers to Sports Talk 790 on the 10th Inning Show were frustrated at Hinch's decision to pull Greinke when he did, considering his low pitch count at the time.
"I am absolutely upset. Greinke should not have come out. He was dealing," one caller said.
Another fan added, "They pulled Greinke out too fast. He should have stayed in a little longer."
But one caller tried to bring perspective to the table.
"We thought we'd never get back. But here comes A.J. Hinch. Here comes Jim Crane. They rebuilt the Astros and made it a national team," Allen in Spring told hosts Michael Connor and Chris Gordy.
Stephen Strasburg, with his two wins during the series, was named MVP.
So it will be a long winter for Astros fans, one that will feature a Gerrit Cole watch. The star pitcher is set to become a free agent in the coming weeks, and rumors are that the Angels and Yankees will be in hot pursuit.
But, as bad as last night was, there is always next year. Oddsmakers in Vegas have already installed the Astros as 4-1 favorites to win the 2020 World Series.