Major League Baseball

World Series 2021: Braves shut out Astros in Game 3

Updated Oct. 30, 2021 1:38 a.m. ET

Hits were at a premium in Game 3 of the World Series on Friday night, and Ian Anderson was the primary culprit.

The Atlanta rookie pitched five hitless innings against the Houston Astros before handing it over to the bullpen, and even though the Astros did ultimately manage a pair of hits, the Braves went on to a 2-0 victory, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Braves' pitching dominant in Game 3 victory over Astros, 2-0

The Atlanta Braves' pitching staff was dominant, allowing no runs and striking out seven in a 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the World Series.

The Braves nearly became the third team to have a no-hitter in playoff history. The first was a perfect game by Don Larsen of the New York Yankees in the 1956 World Series. The other was a no-no by the Phillies’ Roy Halladay in the 2010 NLDS.

The Braves would have been the first to have a combined no-no in playoff history, but they lost it when Houston’s Aledmys Díaz dropped a soft fly ball into left field leading off the eighth inning. Alex Bregman added another single in the ninth, but that was it for Houston.

Asked after the game if he was disappointed to be pulled from his no-hitter after just five innings of work, Anderson admitted that he did argue to stay in, but that "it was fine."

The teams meet up again for Game 4 on Saturday (8:09 p.m. ET on FOX).

Here are the best plays from Game 3 of the 2021 World Series.

Atlanta Braves 2, Houston Astros 0 (Braves lead 2-1)

Familiar faces

With the Braves hosting their first World Series game since 1999, it was only right that the family of the late Hank Aaron was present and honored on the field.

Heating up

The Braves came out swinging (literally) to set the tone early on Friday night.

Mr. Anderson

Anderson was in complete control through the first three innings of his first career World Series start.

The Braves' starting pitcher recorded two strikeouts without allowing a run through his first trip through the Astros lineup.

First strike

The Braves were able to get on the board in the bottom of the third inning thanks to an RBI double from Austin Riley, giving Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

No hits for you!

The Braves pulled Anderson after five no-hit innings.

Meanwhile, in the Astros' dugout…

Flashing some leather …

Eddie Rosario tried to start a rally for the Braves, but Kyle Tucker shut that down in a hurry.

No no-hitter after all

The Brave took their no-hitter into the eighth inning, but Diaz ended it with two outs with a ball placed perfectly in between Dansby Swanson and Rosario.

Insurance, please

Travis d’Arnaud gave Atlanta a bit more of a cushion in the bottom of the eighth, hitting a rocket off Kendall Graveman to make it 2-0.

Just short

With a man on and two outs in the ninth, Tucker tried to tie it up with a deep fly to center. But the yard held it, and the Braves earned their victory.