And, just like that, the Houston Astros are back in control of the World Series.

Gerrit Cole returned to dominating form and the Astros hit a pair of two run homers as Houston completed their three game sweep in Washington, beating the Nationals. 7-1.

The Astros outscored the home team 19-3 in the three game series.  Washington batted just .179 in the three games.

Cole, who took the loss in the opening game of the series after giving up five runs, dominated the Nationals in his second start, pitching 7.0 innings allowing just three hits.  He walked two and struck out nine, throwing 110 pitches.  His only blemish was a solo homer by Juan Soto in the seventh inning.

Houston got on the board in the second inning against emergency starter Joe Ross when Yuli Gurriel reached on an infield hit and Yordan Alvarez blasted a two run homer to center.  It was Alvarez' first start in the three game series because of the lack of the designated hitter.

Ross was pressed into action when scheduled starter Max Scherzer had to be scratched because of neck spasms.  He was lifted after five innings, allowing four runs on five hits.

The Astros added a pair of runs in the fourth inning when Alvarez singled with out.  Carlos Correa then survived a borderline 0-2 pitch that was called a ball, worked the count full and then homered to left.

The Nationals, meanwhile, continued their anemic offensive performance in their home ball park.  They threatened Cole in the second inning when Soto singled and went to third on Howie Kendrick's single, putting runners at the corners with nobody out.  But Cole struck out Ryan Zimmerman and got Victor Robles to hit into a double play to end the threat.  Cole then allowed only a one out walk in the fourth before Soto's homer. His 100th pitch of the night, to Zimmerman, was clocked at 100 mph.  He walked Zimmerman with two out before getting Robles looking on a controversial 3-2 pitch.

Houston got an insurance run off reliever Daniel Hudson when George Springer doubled and came home on a two out hit by Gurriel.  They added two more on Springer's two run blast in the ninth.

The Astros will call on Justin Verlander to close out the Series in game six Tuesday night.  Steven Strasberg will get the start for Washington.

 

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