Ian Anderson did everything the Atlanta Braves could have asked of him in Game 3 of the World Series.
Anderson worked five no-hit innings against the Houston Astros in his World Series debut. While Anderson’s command was shaky — he threw only 39 strikes on 76 pitches and walked three — there was no denying that he kept the Astros off balance.
Ultimately, due partly to that lack of command, Anderson was pulled after the fifth. Still, it meant he was the first pitcher since Don Larsen to finish a World Series game with at least five hitless innings. Larsen famously threw the only perfect game in World Series history in 1956.
No small feat, although admittedly, not many pitchers ever would have left a World Series game in the middle of a no-hitter. The Braves were only up 1-0, however, and with Anderson’s command being what it was, Atlanta had to prioritize winning the game.
The Braves really needed Anderson’s outing, as their pitching has been in a bit of disarray since Game 1. The bullpen probably didn’t expect to be playing a role in a potential combined no-hitter, but that is what the relievers got.
The Braves put in A.J. Minter to start the sixth inning. Then Luke Jackson took to the mound in the seventh, and Tyler Matzek in the eighth. It was in that eighth inning when Astros shortstop Aledmys Diaz broke the no-hitter with a single. But in the end, Matzek got out of the inning. Then closer Will Smith came in to finish it.
The Braves won 2-0 and now lead the Series 2-1. Game 4 is Saturday night at Truist Park.
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