Starting pitcher Ian Anderson pitched five no-hit, scoreless innings to lead the Atlanta Overcomes to a 2-1 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the 2021 World Series on Friday. The 23-year-old wowed the crowd for more than five innings, walking three batters and striking out four, as Atlanta hosted a World Series game for the first time in 1999.
Anderson became only the second freshman in history to throw five no-hitter innings in a World Series game, joining Jeff Tesreau in 1912. Brian Snitker then withdrew Anderson from the game as he proceeded to the warm-up area to start the 6th inning. Nonetheless, the decision was validated after the Overcomes’ warm-up area had a spotless night, with four scoreless innings, two hits, and no walks. Will Smith earned the save with a spotless ninth inning. “You need the chance to compete, especially on the biggest platform like today,” Anderson told reporters.
“I realized he wouldn’t move; it’s difficult to do so.” You can’t blame him for visiting such people. Those people put in the effort and make it happen. Furthermore, you’ve noticed that they’ve had the same experience this evening.” Houston starter Luis Garcia worked admirably, allowing only one run in 3.2 innings while striking out six batters, but he took the loss. The no-hitter was carried into the eighth inning by relievers A.J. Minter and Luke Jackson before a bloop fair hit by Aledmys Diaz and left fielder Eddie Rosario lost the Overcomes the chance to become only the second team in World Series history to throw a no-hitter.
Home the third inning, Atlanta’s Austin Riley drove in Rosario with a two-run double down the left-field line. The rest of the game was a one-run thriller, with Travis d’Arnaud providing much-needed insurance with a 437-foot monster missile to left field in the bottom of the eighth inning to make it 2-0. Astros infielder Alex Bregman remarked, “I think we didn’t swing it for one game.” “I believe we flush it and move on to the next day because we have a short memory.” “In this game, you have to.” Give them full credit for the evening. They threw their tails up in the air.”
Hank Aaron, who passed away recently, was honored in front of Game 3 with his widow, Billye, and children, Hank Jr., Gaile, Dorinda, and Lary, taking the field. Hank Jr. hurled the customized first pitch to Overcomes star Freddie Freeman, with the Lobby of Famer’s famed No. 44 scribbled onto the pitch. “I had the opportunity to embrace Billye and tell her how much I missed Hank,” said Snitker, who was overjoyed. With Game 4 scheduled for Saturday night, the two teams will once again clash.
