Former D-back Zack Greinke shines in Game 7, Nats win World Series
Oct 30, 2019, 8:02 PM | Updated: 9:50 pm
Fans cheer as Houston Astros starting pitcher Zack Greinke leaves the field during the seventh inning of Game 7 of the baseball World Series against the Washington Nationals Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
In July, the Houston Astros needed one more starter to have the rotation they needed for a championship run.
They traded for Arizona’s Zack Greinke, and that trade showed its dividends in Game 7 of the World Series, but it wasn’t enough for a win and they fell to the Washington Nationals 6-2.
The former D-back dominated through six innings allowing no runs and just one hit, a single in the second frame.
His offspeed pitches were dynamite, especially his changeup.
Zack Greinke, Filthy 88mph Changeup…and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Ym6D4s5XRD
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 31, 2019
In the sixth, he struck out Washington shortstop Trea Turner after throwing him an 88 mph changeup that dipped below the strike zone, followed by a fastball with the same speed that did not drop.
Zack Greinke, 88mph Changeup and 88mph Fastball, back to back.
[yeah the fastball was a ball, but whatever. 😉] pic.twitter.com/qu4Z55iK4u
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 31, 2019
Until the seventh inning, he allowed just two base runners, neither of which advanced beyond first base. The Astros led 2-0.
But, after six pristine innings, things went awry.
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He allowed a one-out solo blast to Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon followed by a walk to outfielder Juan Soto.
He was then taken out by manager A.J. Hinch and replaced with reliever Will Harris.
The next batter of the game was Howie Kendrick, who nailed a fastball off of the right-field foul pole to give Washington the 3-2 lead.
That closed the book on Greinke’s night: 6.1 innings, two earned runs, two hits, three strikeouts and a no-decision.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Nats put in Greinke’s former D-backs teammate Patrick Corbin to hold down the lead.
Corbin would get the win, as the Nationals added three more insurance runs. The lefty threw three scoreless innings and only allowed two hits with zero walks.
Former D-back Daniel Hudson recorded the last three outs for the World Series victory.
