Game 5 of the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers took place on October 29, 2017, at Minute Maid Park in Houston. The Astros won 13β12 in 10 innings after 5 hours and 17 minutes of play, taking a 3β2 series lead in one of the highest-scoring and most dramatic games in Major League Baseball postseason history.
The Historical Legacy of Game 5
When baseball fans and sports analysts refer to "Game 5 Astros vs. Dodgers," they are almost always highlighting the fifth game of the 2017 World Series. Prior to this matchup, the two franchises had met in playoff competition during the 1981 National League Division Series (NLDS), when both clubs resided in the National League. However, the 2017 Fall Classic elevated their head-to-head history into a primary national story.
Entering Game 5 on October 29, 2017, the series was deadlocked at 2β2. The Dodgers had won Game 1 behind a strong performance by Clayton Kershaw, while the Astros took Game 2 in an extra-inning slugfest in Los Angeles. The teams split Games 3 and 4 in Houston, making Game 5 a swing game for the series outcome.
What transpired over 10 innings turned out to be an anomaly in high-stakes postseason pitching, featuring multiple multi-run comebacks, five game-tying hits, seven home runs, and continuous high-leverage pitching changes.
2017 World Series Game 5 Quick Summary ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: October 29, 2017 Venue: Minute Maid Park (Houston, Texas) Final Score: Houston Astros 13, Los Angeles Dodgers 12 (10 innings) Game Duration: 5 hours, 17 minutes Winning Pitcher: Joe Musgrove (HOU) Losing Pitcher: Kenley Jansen (LAD) Starting Pitchers: Dallas Keuchel (HOU) vs. Clayton Kershaw (LAD) Series Impact: Astros took a 3β2 lead (went on to win series in 7 games)
Inning-by-Inning Recount of 2017 World Series Game 5
To understand how the game unfolded, it is essential to trace the gameβs dramatic swings across four distinct phases: early control by Los Angeles, mid-game rally power from Houston, late-inning bullpen volatility, and extra-inning execution.
Early Dodgers Control (Innings 1 to 4)
The starting pitching match featured two Cy Young Award winners: Dallas Keuchel for Houston and Clayton Kershaw for Los Angeles. Keuchel struggled early with his command. In the top of the first inning, Logan Forsythe hit a two-out, two-run single to give Los Angeles a 2β0 lead. The Dodgers extended that lead in the top of the fourth inning when an error by Astros second baseman Jose Altuve allowed another run to score, followed by an RBI single from Austin Barnes to make it 4β0.
Kershaw cruised through the first three innings, keeping Houston's offense scoreless. With a 4β0 cushion, Los Angeles appeared to be in complete control behind their ace.
The Mid-Game Power Explosion (Innings 4 to 5)
Houston's offense responded in the bottom of the fourth inning. After George Springer walked and Alex Bregman singled, Yuli Gurriel hit a dramatic three-run home run off Kershaw into the left-field Crawford Boxes, tying the game 4β4.
The Dodgers regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Facing Astros reliever Collin McHugh, rookie outfielder Cody Bellinger launched a three-run home run to right field, putting Los Angeles back in front 7β4.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kershaw walked two batters before being replaced by reliever Kenta Maeda. With two on and two out, Jose Altuve hit a line-drive three-run home run off Maeda to deep center field, tying the game once again at 7β7. Through five innings, both starting pitchers had been removed, and the game had already featured two three-run comeback home runs by Houston.
Scoring Progression (Game 5 - 2017 World Series) Top 1st: LAD 2, HOU 0 -- Forsythe 2-RBI single Top 4th: LAD 4, HOU 0 -- Barnes RBI single (plus unearned run) Bot 4th: LAD 4, HOU 4 -- Gurriel 3-run HR off Kershaw Top 5th: LAD 7, HOU 4 -- Bellinger 3-run HR off McHugh Bot 5th: LAD 7, HOU 7 -- Altuve 3-run HR off Maeda Top 7th: LAD 8, HOU 7 -- Bellinger RBI triple Bot 7th: LAD 8, HOU 11 -- Springer HR, Altuve RBI double, Correa 2-run HR Top 8th: LAD 9, HOU 11 -- Seager RBI double Bot 8th: LAD 9, HOU 12 -- McCann solo HR Top 9th: LAD 12, HOU 12-- Puig 2-run HR, Taylor RBI single Bot 10th: LAD 12, HOU 13-- Bregman walk-off RBI single
Late-Inning Lead Swings (Innings 7 to 8)
After a scoreless sixth inning, the offense resumed in the seventh. In the top of the seventh, Cody Bellinger hit an RBI triple off Will Harris after an acrobatic attempt by George Springer in center field missed the ball, allowing Enrique HernΓ‘ndez to score and giving Los Angeles an 8β7 lead.
The bottom of the seventh inning saw Houston launch a major rally against Dodgers reliever Brandon Morrow, who was making his fifth appearance in five days:
- George Springer hit the very first pitch he saw for a solo home run to center field, tying the game 8β8 and making up for his defensive misplay in the top half of the inning.
- Jose Altuve followed two batters later with a double down the left-field line, scoring Derek Fisher to put Houston ahead 9β8.
- Carlos Correa then hit a two-run home run off Morrow to extend Houstonβs lead to 11β8.
Los Angeles cut the deficit to 11β9 in the top of the eighth inning on an RBI double by Corey Seager. Houston answered in the bottom of the eighth when catcher Brian McCann hit a solo home run off Tony Cingrani, restoring a three-run cushion at 12β9.
Ninth-Inning Comeback and Tenth-Inning Walk-Off
With Houston leading 12β9 heading into the ninth inning, manager A.J. Hinch brought in reliever Chris Devenski to close out the victory. However, the Dodgers mounted a clutch rally:
- Yasiel Puig hit a two-run home run to right field, narrowing the margin to 12β11.
- After Austin Barnes doubled and advanced to third, Chris Taylor lined a two-out, two-strike RBI single up the middle to tie the game 12β12.
Astros reliever Joe Musgrove entered to get the final out of the ninth, keeping the game tied.
In the bottom of the tenth inning, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen stayed on the mound after pitching a scoreless ninth. Jansen retired the first two batters before hitting Brian McCann with a pitch. Derek Fisher entered as a pinch-runner. Cameron Maybin then drew a walk (or singled, advancing Fisher to second base).
With two runners on, third baseman Alex Bregman lined an 0-1 cutter from Jansen into left field. Fisher sprinted home from second base and slid across home plate ahead of the throw, giving Houston a 13β12 walk-off victory.
Detailed Box Score & Performance Metrics
Game 5 shattered several single-game World Series records and established notable historical statistical benchmarks according to official Baseball-Reference box scores.
| Category | Los Angeles Dodgers | Houston Astros | Game Combined Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Runs | 12 | 13 | 25 |
| Hits | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| Home Runs | 2 (Bellinger, Puig) | 5 (Gurriel, Altuve, Springer, Correa, McCann) | 7 |
| Extra-Base Hits | 5 | 8 | 13 |
| Pitchers Used | 7 (Kershaw, Maeda, Watson, Morrow, Cingrani, Fields, Jansen) | 7 (Keuchel, Devenski, McHugh, Peacock, Harris, Liriano, Musgrove) | 14 |
| Total Pitches Thrown | 207 | 210 | 417 |
| Walks Issued | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| Left On Base (LOB) | 9 | 7 | 16 |
Pitching Breakdowns
- Clayton Kershaw (LAD): 4.2 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 1 HR (94 pitches). Kershaw was unable to protect early leads of 4β0 and 7β4.
- Dallas Keuchel (HOU): 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER (3 earned), 2 BB, 4 SO (86 pitches). Keuchel exited early after throwing significant pitches in high-stress innings.
- Brandon Morrow (LAD): 0.0 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 2 HR (6 pitches). Morrow struggled while pitching for the fifth consecutive game in the series.
- Joe Musgrove (HOU): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO. Earned the pitching win after stopping the Dodgers in the top of the tenth.
Historical Comparison: 1981 NLDS Game 5 vs. 2017 World Series Game 5
While the 2017 game is the most high-profile Game 5 between the franchises, it was not the first time Houston and Los Angeles faced off in a decisive fifth game of a postseason series.
The 1981 NLDS Game 5 Pitching Duel
In 1981, MLB conducted a split-season format due to a player strike, resulting in a special National League Division Series. The Astros (then in the National League West) faced the Dodgers in a best-of-five series.
Game 5 took place on October 11, 1981, at Dodger Stadium. In stark contrast to the 2017 offensive breakout, the 1981 Game 5 was a masterclass in classic starting pitching:
- Fernando Valenzuela pitched a complete-game shutout for Los Angeles, throwing 9 scoreless innings while allowing just 4 hits.
- Nolan Ryan started for Houston, giving up 3 runs over 6 innings.
- The Dodgers won the game 4β0, taking the series 3β2 and advancing to the NLCS before eventually winning the 1981 World Series against the New York Yankees.
1981 NLDS Game 5 vs. 2017 World Series Game 5 Comparison ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metric 1981 NLDS Game 5 2017 World Series Game 5 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date October 11, 1981 October 29, 2017 Venue Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles) Minute Maid Park (Houston) Result Dodgers 4, Astros 0 Astros 13, Dodgers 12 (10 inn.) Primary Feature Pitching / Complete Game Offense / Bullpen Usage Key Pitchers Valenzuela (CG) vs. Ryan Kershaw vs. Keuchel Total Runs 4 25 Total Home Runs 0 7 Game Length 2 hours, 21 minutes 5 hours, 17 minutes
Structural Realignment in 2013
The dynamic between Houston and Los Angeles changed structurally in 2013 when Major League Baseball realigned the Houston Astros from the National League Central to the American League West. This move converted what was historically an intra-league National League rivalry into an Interleague matchup, setting the stage for them to meet only in interleague play or the World Series.
Post-2017 Developments and Sign-Stealing Controversy
In late 2019, allegations surfaced regarding the Houston Astros' use of technology to decode and relay opposing teams' pitching signs during their 2017 championship season.
Following an official investigation, MLB Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. released a detailed report in January 2020. The report confirmed that the Astros used a video feed monitor near the dugout to decode catcher signs and relayed upcoming pitch types to batters using acoustic signals (such as banging on a trash can) during home games at Minute Maid Park in the 2017 regular season and postseason.
Detailed official findings and disciplinary actions were documented in the MLB Commissioner's Official Statement.
Impact on Game 5 Perception
Because Game 5 was played at Minute Maid Park in Houston, the findings added significant scrutiny to the game's outcomes:
- Pitch Recognition Performance: Analysts and fans re-examined how Houston hitters performed against elite breaking balls from Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen, noting that Kershaw induced zero swings-and-misses on his slider or curveball during key stretches of Game 5.
- Dodgers Perspective: Several players and executives from the 2017 Dodgers expressed frustration over the environment in Houston during Games 3, 4, and 5.
- Statistical Legacy: Major League Baseball maintained the official records, box scores, and championship title for the 2017 Astros, but Game 5 remains one of the most debated games in modern baseball history.
Subsequent Postseason Encounters and Modern Rivalry
The intense competitive dynamic established in 2017 fueled an ongoing cross-league rivalry between the two franchises:
- Player Movements: Over subsequent seasons, key personnel shifted between organizations or signed elsewhere. Managers A.J. Hinch and Dave Roberts saw their paths diverge, with Hinch later managing the Detroit Tigers and Roberts maintaining a long, successful run in Los Angeles.
- 2020 Dodgers World Series Championship: Los Angeles captured the World Series title in 2020, providing the franchise with a championship after falling just short in 2017 and 2018.
- 2022 Astros World Series Championship: Houston won another World Series title in 2022 under manager Dusty Baker, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies and proving their ability to win on the game's biggest stage in a different era.
Despite playing in different leagues, regular-season series between Houston and Los Angeles consistently generate high attendance, playoff-level fan intensity, and significant media coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Game 5 of the 2017 World Series between the Astros and Dodgers?
The Houston Astros won Game 5 by a final score of 13β12 in 10 innings. Third baseman Alex Bregman drove in the winning run with a walk-off single off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, scoring pinch-runner Derek Fisher.
How long did Game 5 of the 2017 World Series last?
The game lasted 5 hours and 17 minutes. It began on the evening of Sunday, October 29, 2017, and concluded after midnight local time on Monday, October 30.
How many home runs were hit in Game 5 of the 2017 World Series?
A total of 7 home runs were hit during the game. Houston hit 5 home runs (Yuli Gurriel, Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, and Brian McCann), while Los Angeles hit 2 (Cody Bellinger and Yasiel Puig).
Who were the starting pitchers in Game 5 of the 2017 World Series?
Dallas Keuchel started for the Houston Astros, while Clayton Kershaw started for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Neither starter made it past the fifth inning, as both managers turned to their bullpens early amid constant scoring opportunities.
Have the Astros and Dodgers played any other Game 5 in postseason history?
Yes. Before their 2017 World Series matchup, the Astros and Dodgers played a decisive Game 5 in the 1981 National League Division Series. Los Angeles won that game 4β0 behind a complete-game shutout by Fernando Valenzuela.
Key Takeaways for Baseball Historians and Fans
For fans reviewing historic postseason games, Game 5 of the 2017 World Series provides valuable insights into modern baseball trends:
- High-Leverage Bullpen Strategy: The game demonstrated how heavy reliever usage across consecutive days can lead to diminished effectiveness late in a championship series.
- Fly-Ball and Power Trends: The 7 home runs underscored the dramatic rise in home run rates and launch-angle strategies that characterized baseball in the late 2010s.
- Viewing Archival Footage: Full-game replays and condensed highlight packages for Game 5 are available via official league archives on MLBβs YouTube channel and MLB.tv vault services.
