David Robertson opens World Series with save for Phillies

In his 38th playoff game, David Robertson got his first postseason save on Friday night. The former Paul W. Bryant High School and Alabama standout pitched a scoreless bottom of the 10th to close the Philadelphia Phillies’ 6-5 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the World Series.

But it wasn’t easy.

After Robertson struck out Yordan Alvarez to open the home half of the 10th, Alex Bregman doubled off the left-field wall.

After Robertson stuck out Kyle Tucker, walked Yuli Gurriel and threw a wild pitch, the Astros had runners on second and third with two out.

A 2-0 pitch from Robertson hit pinch-hitter Aledyms Diaz in the arm. But Diaz didn’t get to take his base because the umpire ruled he had leaned his arm in front of it to get hit intentionally.

Robertson got a strike on a 3-0 pitch, then induced a grounder to third baseman Edmundo Sosa for the game-ending out.

Robertson was appearing in the World Series for the first time since Nov. 2, 2009. In his second MLB season, Robertson pitched in two World Series games for the New York Yankees, who beat the Phillies in six games.

Robertson tied the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw for 12th place in AL/NL history for postseason pitching appearances when he took the mound at Minute Maid Park on Friday night.

The Phillies rallied from a 5-0 deficit to win Game 1, going ahead in the top of the 10th on catcher J.T.Realmuto’s leadoff home run.

Philadelphia and Houston will meet in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series at 7 p.m. CDT Saturday. FOX will televise the game.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.

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