Houston set the tone against Philadelphia with three straight hits to start the game, giving Framber Valdez and the Astros bullpen all the support they needed for a big win at home.
Harper’s two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning erased a one-run deficit and put Philadelphia back in the Fall Classic for the first time since 2009.
Looking to revamp his struggling team, Philadelphia’s owner spent wildly on stars like Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and Kyle Schwarber. Those stars led the team to an N.L.C.S. win.