Jorge Soler of the Atlanta Braves is congratulated after hitting a three run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning in Game Six of the World Series.
CNN —
The Atlanta Braves have won their first World Series title since 1995 after defeating the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6 on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park.
The Braves took the Series four games to two behind strong pitching and three big home runs. And although Atlanta couldn’t close out the Astros at home in Game 5, thousands of fans flocked to the Braves’ stadium, Truist Park, on Tuesday to watch the game on a nippy but starry night.
“I’m still numb. I don’t really have emotions. I’m kind of trying to tell you guys things of how I feel because I don’t really feel anything yet,” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “It’s going to hit hard soon. I don’t know when. Maybe it’s when we get to see everybody in Atlanta.”
The Braves once again homered their way to an early lead. In the top of the third, Braves Jorge Soler hammered the eighth pitch from Astros starter Luis Garcia for a three-run home run after Ozzie Albies singled and Eddie Rosario walked around two flyouts. Soler’s third homer of the Series traveled an estimated 446 feet, and it was the last pitch Garcia, starting on short rest, threw.
Soler, who was born in Cuba, was named Series MVP.
The Braves’ lead grew to 5-0 in the top of the fifth when Atlanta-area native Dansby Swanson crushed a two-run homer off Astros reliever Cristian Javier. Albies, who had walked to lead off the inning, scored ahead of Swanson.
“I just kept battling it out, I’d seen his stuff or whatever, so I was sitting on the off-speed, and I was thinking to myself, if he throws me an off-speed pitch, I can connect and drive the ball,” Soler said through an interpreter. “If he throws me a fastball, I’m just going to try to stay alive during this at-bat. I got to 3-2, and I didn’t want the same thing to happen on the first inning at-bat where I struck out on the off-speed pitch. So I was just kind of getting prepared for that.”
The pitch came in at 83 mph and left much quicker than that as, according to the Houston Chronicle, it ended up on a sidewalk outside the stadium.
“I knew I hit it well, but to be honest, immediately after I hit it, I turned around just to look at our dugout and start celebrating,” Soler said.
One out and two batters later, Freeman doubled home Soler, who had walked, making the score 6-0.
Freeman, who could potentially be a free agent after the season, blasted a solo home run in the top of the seventh off Houston’s Ryne Stanek to make it 7-0.
Atlanta starting pitcher Max Fried was spectacular, striking out six in six innings and giving up just four singles. Two of those baserunners were erased on double plays, with Fried starting one of them.
“His fastball was really good and the slider,” Astros leadoff hitter Jose Altuve said. “He was way better than the first game. He pitched good. He didn’t use his curveball too much tonight, but fastball, slider, changeup was really good. He was almost unhittable.”
Braves pitcher Will Smith and catcher Travis d'Arnaud celebrate winning the World Series in Houston on Tuesday, November 2.
Braves manager Brian Snitker hoists the Commissioner's Trophy.
Braves designated hitter Jorge Soler celebrates after winning the World Series. Soler was awarded the title of MVP.
Braves fans celebrate the World Series win.
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman hugs relief pitcher Will Smith.
Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker catches a fly ball as center fielder Jose Siri falls during the eighth inning.
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman celebrates with his teammates after hitting a solo home run.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve walks to the dugout during the seventh inning.
Braves left fielder Joc Pederson makes a catch during Game 6.
Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker catches a line drive for an out.
Michael Brantley of the Astros steps on Max Fried of the Braves on the way to first base.
Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson throws a runner out.
Houston Astros fans wave rally towels during Game 6 at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Jose Altuve celebrate winning Game 5 of the World Series early Monday, November 1, in Atlanta.
Members of the Atlanta Braves watch during the ninth inning.
Astros third baseman Alex Bregman throws to first base for the out during Game 5 on Sunday, October 31.
Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker slides into home plate safely past Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud during the seventh inning.
Braves pitcher A.J. Minter bunts during the fourth inning on Sunday.
Martin Maldonado of the Astros catches a pop fly during the fourth inning of Game 5.
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman high fives third base coach Ron Washington after hitting a solo home run on Sunday. Freeman's 460-foot home run to right-center is his longest of the season, and tied for the biggest smash of his career.
Adam Duvall of the Atlanta Braves hits a grand slam home run during the first inning of Game 5.
Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies dives into third past Astros third baseman Alex Bregman advancing on a double by Austin Riley on Sunday.
Braves closer Will Smith celebrates the teams 3-2 win against the Houston Astros in Game 4 of the World Series at Truist Park in Atlanta on Saturday, October 30. Smith pitched a perfect 9th inning.
Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario of the Atlanta Braves celebrate in the eighth inning after Rosario caught a fly ball hit by the Astros' Jose Altuve.
Braves pinch hitter Jorge Sole is congratulated by Freddie Freeman after hitting a home run to put Atlanta up 3-2. it came right after teammate Dansby Swanson hit a home run.
Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run to tie the game in the seventh inning. It was his first homer of the 2021 postseason.
Braves third baseman Austin Riley hits an RBI in the sixth inning.
Members of the Atlanta Braves participate in a Stand Up To Cancer campaign at the end of the fifth inning.
Kyle Tucker of the Astros steals second base before advancing to third as Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies misses the ball in the fifth inning.
Jose Altuve of the Astros is congratulated by teammate Alex Bregman after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning.
Former NFL star Herschel Walker, who is running for a US Senate seat in Georgia, interacts with former first lady Melania Trump and former President Donald Trump prior to Game 4. Trump's support of Walker, which came initially over reservations from much of the GOP establishment, has given the former running back a boost ahead of next year's primary.
Carlos Correa of the Astros turns a double play as the Braves' Eddie Rosario slides into second base on Saturday.
Fans take photos of the starting lineup board before Game 4 at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Will Smith of the Braves celebrates with Dansby Swanson after closing out the 2-0 win against the Astros in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday, October 29.
The Astros' Jose Siri is safe at second after the Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson missed the throw during the eighth inning.
Astros' Alex Bregman reacts after getting hit by a pitch during the sixth inning.
Travis d'Arnaud of the Braves is greeted by third base coach Ron Washington after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning.
Fans hold up phone lights during a pitching change.
Austin Riley of the Braves hits an RBI double during the third inning.
Jose Altuve of the Astros reacts after striking out during the third inning.
Michael Brantley of the Astros fails to catch a double, hit during the second inning.
The wife of the late Hank Aaron, Billye Aaron, is seen on the field during a tribute to Hank Aaron prior to the start of Game 3.
Members of the Atlanta Braves stand on the base path during the singing of the national anthem prior to Game 3.
Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve of the Astros celebrate the team's 7-2 win against the Braves in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday, October 27, in Houston.
Michael Brantley of the Astros catches a fly ball against the Braves during the eighth inning of Game 2.
Braves' Joc Pederson argues a call with home plate umpire Ron Kulpa during the eighth inning in Game 2.
Jose Altuve of the Astros celebrates after hitting a home run in Game 2.
Fans cheer during Game 2.
Fans wave rally towels during Game 2.
Braves starting pitcher Max Fried is relieved during the sixth inning of Game 2.
Astros centerfielder Jose Siri celebrates after scoring a run against the Braves in Game 2.
Astros' Kyle Tucker is safe at second on a fielding error by Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies during the sixth inning in Game 2.
Braves' Travis d'Arnaud watches his home run during the second inning in Game 2.
Fans arrive at Minute Maid Park where the roof on the stadium was open for Game 2 on Wednesday.
From left, the Braves' Eddie Rosario, Guillermo Heredia and Adam Duvall celebrate after defeating the Astros in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday, October 26, in Houston.
The Braves' Dansby Swanson slides in safely past the Astros' Jason Castro to score a run on a sacrifice fly during the eighth inning in Game 1.
The Braves' Jorge Soler became the first player to hit a home run in the first plate appearance of a World Series.
A scoreboard worker watches during the seventh inning of Game 1.
Yuli Gurriel attempts to field the ball against the Braves during the fourth inning in Game 1.
The "rally nuns" cheer during the third inning in Game 1.
Astros catcher Martin Maldonado stands at home plate as the Braves' Adam Duvall celebrates after a two-run home run during the third inning of Game 1.
Fans watch the first inning of Game 1 in Houston's Minute Maid Park.
The Astros' Framber Valdez reacts after loading the bases during the second inning of Game 1.
The Astros and the Braves line up for the national anthem prior to the first pitch of Game 1 in Houston.
In pictures: The 2021 World Series
Relievers Tyler Matzek and Will Smith pitched the final three innings. The three Braves hurlers combined to strike out 10, throwing 121 pitches, two-thirds of them for strikes.
“This whole World Series, world championship, you can’t say enough about our pitching,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. Snitker, who has been a part of the Braves’ organization for 44 years, also gave credit to the analytics staff and their game planning.
The Astros had only six hits, all singles, and had just three at-bats with runners in scoring position.
“They played great. We couldn’t keep them in the ballpark,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “We walked somebody, then that led to the crooked-number innings. The pitching shut us down.”
Twenty-six years ago when the Braves won their last World Series, Atlanta and Houston were both National League teams and maverick media mogul Ted Turner owned the team. And they also had strong pitching with three future Hall of Famers – Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz – in the starting rotation.
The Braves’ success this season has not insulated them from controversy. Native American groups and advocates have demanded the organization eliminate the “Tomahawk Chop” symbol and gesture from its branding and game day traditions, saying the team is perpetuating racist stereotypes.
Last summer, the Braves said they were reviewing the chop amid calls from the Native community.
The team won just 72 games in 2017 but began a four-year run of making the postseason with 90 wins in 2018.
The Braves hold the MLB record with 14 consecutive division titles (1991 to 2005) and won the one World Series title in that time. Last year the Braves held a 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series but lost when the Los Angeles Dodgers won the final three contests and then the World Series.
The title gives the city its first major professional sports league championship since Atlanta United won MLS Cup in 2018.
