A day after the Phillies made history with their bats, the Astros did it with their arms.
Driving the news: Houston's Cristian Javier, Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Ryan Pressly combined to no-hit the Phillies in Wednesday's 5-0 victory, tying the World Series at two games apiece.
Why it matters: This was just the third postseason no-hitter in MLB history, joining Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series and Roy Halladay's no-hitter in the 2010 NLDS, also at Citizens Bank Park (with current Astros manager Dusty Baker in the opposite dugout).
By the numbers: Javier, nicknamed "El Reptil" because of his "cold blood" and poised demeanor, used his electric fastball to strike out nine across six innings before handing it over to the bullpen.
- It was the first individual no-hit bid of 6+ innings in the Fall Classic since Mets lefty Jerry Koosman in 1969, and it's not as if it came out of nowhere.
- This was Javier's sixth straight start of 5+ shutout innings with two or fewer hits allowed. No other pitcher in the modern era (1900) has more than three such consecutive starts, per Opta Stats.
Wild stat: The Astros already threw a combined no-hitter this season (Yankees, June 25), and the Phillies were already on the wrong end of one (Mets, April 29).
- Houston's starter that night? Javier.
- Philly's? Aaron Nola, who also started last night. Baseball!
Looking ahead: And just like that, the Fall Classic has become a best-of-three race to the finish.
Watch: Highlights (YouTube)
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
