Houston Astros Lead The Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3 In Game 3 Of World Series

Updated 11:10 p.m. ET

The Houston Astros are hanging on to a 5-3 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers after six innings in Game 3 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Houston got on the score board first by opening the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run by first baseman Yuli Gurriel, followed by a double by right fielder Josh Reddick. Designated hitter Evan Gattis walked. A hard-hit single by left fielder Marwin Gonzalez scored Reddick. Catcher Brian McCann followed with another single, scoring Gattis and making the score 3-0. The Astros added a fourth run when third baseman Alex Bregman hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Gonzalez.

Dodgers starter Yu Darvish was pulled for reliever Kenta Maeda after Astros second baseman Jose Altuve smoked a double to center field. Maeda managed to get the final out without further damage.

The Dodgers threatened to come back immediately in the top of the third after their first three batters earned walks. But they scored only one run when shortstop Corey Seager grounded into a double play.

The Astros added their fifth run in the bottom of the fifth inning after a single by Reddick, his second hit of the night. Gattis reached first base on an infield bouncer to Dodgers pitcher Tony Watson, whose wild throw to first allowed Reddick to score.

In their half of the sixth inning, the Dodgers scratched back by scoring two runs. Seager walked, followed by a double by third baseman Justin Turner. Seager scored on right fielder Yasiel Puig's ground out. Turner scored from third base on Astros reliever Brad Peacock's wild pitch, making the score 5-3.

After the teams dueled in a thrilling extra-inning contest featuring eight home runs in Game 2 of the Series on Wednesday, fans can be excused for expecting a lot more stomach-churning action.

The Astros won that game in Dodger Stadium, 7-6, evening the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

As ESPN's David Schoenfield reports, when the World Series is tied, the Game 3 winner goes on to win the whole thing 69 percent of the time.

This post will be updated.

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