The Dodgers’ World Series Game 6 survival win, explained in 9 stats

Justin Verlander racked up the strikeouts. But the Dodgers did enough to force a Game 7.

If Game 5 of the 2017 World Series broke baseball, then Game 6 put it back together again.

Over nine tense and tactical frames, the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied past — and then held off — the Houston Astros, 3-1, on Tuesday night in Chavez Ravine.

The result gifted everyone (outside of Houston) the 39th Game 7 in World Series history to ensure we never, ever forget the record-setting power and still-escalating drama of this matchup.

Here are nine numbers that tell the story of how Game 6 gave us Game 7:

3

Houston Astros center fielder George Springer put the first run on the board in Game 6 with a solo home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill in the third inning. Springer and Lou Gehrig are the only players to ever hit game-tying or go-ahead home runs in three straight World Series games. Barry Bonds is the only other player with homers in three straight World Series games. With four total homers through six games, Springer tied Lenny Dykstra for most by a lead-off hitter in a World Series.

14

With Springer’s third-inning long ball added to the tally, the Astros tied the 2002 San Francisco Giants for the most home runs ever in a World Series.

9

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander retired 15 of the first 16 batters he faced. He threw first-pitch strikes to nine batters who came up — and promptly turned back around — in the first three innings. Altogether, he struck out nine batters and allowed just three hits and two earned runs.

30

Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill stepped off the mound, waiting approximately 30 seconds before throwing his first pitch to Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel. The crowd at Dodgers Stadium used the time provided to boo vociferously at the player who used a racist gesture to mock Yu Darvish during Game 3.

24

With the Astros leading 1-0 and Verlander closing in on double-digit strikeouts in the sixth inning, the Dodgers broke through. Chris Taylor came up to the plate with Austin Barnes and Chase Utley on base. The 27-year-old center fielder drove in the game-tying run. According to FanGraphs, Taylor’s double increased the Dodgers’ chances of winning by approximately 24 percent, a larger change than caused by any other single at-bat.

The biggest at-bat of Game 6 was when Chris Taylor doubled. Whether it was a good pitch or not, whether it was a good swing or not, Taylor made contact and the ball found the grass, and the Dodgers evened the score. Just as importantly, they moved runners to second and third with nobody out, and, that quickly, the home team became the obvious favorite. The Dodgers’ chance of winning increased about 24 percentage points. Corey Seager followed with a sacrifice fly, and the lead was never surrendered. The game flipped in the sixth. That fast, the Astros were forced to prepare for Game 7.

8

Dodgers reserve infielder Chase Utley reached base in the sixth inning after being hit by a Verlander pitch. It was the eighth postseason HBP for Utley, tying him for fourth on the all-time list. The 38-year-old then became the oldest player to score the go-ahead run in a World Series elimination game since 1957 when Corey Seager drove him in with a sacrifice fly.

6

Dodgers first baseman Joc Pederson has found his power stroke in the postseason — also known to some as Joctober. Of his six hits in the postseason so far, six have gone for extra bases. After recording just a pair of homers in the second half of the regular season, Pederson already has three long balls in the World Series. He extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-1 in the seventh inning of Game 6 with a 378-foot shot to left (that bonked a fan).

98+

Dodgers reliever Brandon Morrow appeared in his sixth straight game. After a disastrous Game 5 outing, the 33-year-old righty got back on track. He recorded three outs without surrendering a run after taking over from Hill. Twelve of Morrow’s 14 pitches were strikes. His six fastballs clocked in at higher speeds in Game 6 than they had in Game 5.

0

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen allowed zero baserunners while recording a six-out save. The 30-year-old righty is one of just three pitchers to record such a relief appearance with his team facing elimination in the World Series, joining Jesse Orosco (1986) and Bruce Sutter (1982).