HOUSTON — As LeBron James once said, the two best words in sports are "Game 7."
And they'll be applicable on Wednesday night.
With their backs against the wall as they faced elimination, the Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros 7-2 in Game 6 of the 2019 World Series on Tuesday night, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7. Despite the lopsided score, Game 6 featured no shortage of drama, as Washington manager Dave Martinez became the first skipper tossed from a World Series game in 23 years.
Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg pitched 8.1 innings, surrendering just 2 runs on the night. Third baseman Anthony Rendon totaled 4 RBIs -- including Washington's final four of the night -- while a Juan Soto solo home run in the fifth inning ultimately broke what was a 2-2 tie.
What follows is a running recap of Game 6, complete with highlights and analysis:
End of game: Nationals 7, Astros 2
Strasburg gets the first out and Sean Doolittle gets the final two as the Nationals force a Game 7 on Wednesday night. Despite the lopsided score
Middle of ninth: Nationals 7, Astros 2
Nationals tack on a pair of insurance runs on a 2-run Adam Eaton double off Chris Devenski.
End of eighth: Nationals 5, Astros 2,
Strasburg out on the mound again and he records yet another 1-2-3 inning for the Nationals.
Middle of eighth: Nationals 5, Astros 2
Ryan Pressly in for Houston and he records a 1-2-3 inning, going through Kendrick, Cabrera and Zimmerman in order.
End of seventh: Nationals 5, Astros 2
Strasburg still in the game for Houston and he records a 1-2-3 inning, getting Chirinos, Reddick and Springer in order.
Middle of seventh: Nationals 5, Astros 2
Yan Gomes singles and Trea Turner is called out on a controversial base-runner interference call. Anthony Rendon, however, notches a 2-run home run push the Nationals' lead to three runs.
End of sixth: Nationals 3, Astros 2
Strasburg still in the game and he surrenders an infield hit to Alex Bregman to lead off the inning. Yuli Gurriel and Yordan Alvarez each ground into fielder's choices and Strasburg strikes out Carlos Correa swinging to end the inning.
Middle of sixth: Nationals 3, Astros 2
Brad Peacock into the game for Houston and he tallies a 1-2-3 inning, grounding out Asdrual Cabrera and striking out Ryan Zimmerman and Victor Robles.
Verlander's final line: 5 innings pitched, 5 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts.
End of fifth: Nationals 3, Astros 2
Robinson Chirinos strikes out but Josh Reddick singles and George Springer doubles to give the Astros runners at second and third with one out. Jose Altuve strikes out for the second out and Michael Brantley grounds out to second to end the inning.
Middle of fifth: Nationals 3, Astros 2.
Verlander still in and he pops Trea Turner out to first before giving up a solo home run to Adam Eaton to tie the game. After Anthony Rendon flies out, Juan Soto hits a 413-blast to right field to give the Nationals a 3-2 lead.
End of fourth: Astros 2, Nationals 1
Michael Brantley and Alex Bregman each ground out for two quick outs before Yuli Gurriel and Yordan Alvarez reach base on consecutive walks. After falling behind Carlos Correa 2-0, Stephen Strasburg comes back to strikeout the All-star shortstop to end the inning.
Middle of fourth: Astros 2, Nationals 1
Howie Kendrick reaches on a lead off single, Asdrubal Cabrera pops out and Ryan Zimmerman walks to put two on with one out. Verlander, however, strikes out Victor Robles and Michael Brantley robs Yan Gomes of a hit to help Houston escape the jam.
End of third: Astros 2, Nationals 1
Josh Reddick strikes out, George Springer grounds out and Jose Altuve pops out for another 1-2-3 inning from Strasburg.
Middle of third: Astros 2, Nationals 1
Yan Gomes grounds out and Trea Turner flies out to center before Adam Eaton and Anthony Rendon each draw 2-out walks. A Juan Soto ground out to second, however, ends the top of the third inning with the Astros still laying claim to a 2-1 lead.
Worth watching: Justin Verlander is at 56 pitches thrown through three innings.
End of second: Astros 2, Nationals 1
Three up, three down as Yordan Alvarez, Carlos Correa and Robinson Chirinos each ground out for a 1-2-3 inning.
Middle of second: Astros 2, Nationals 1
Justin Verlander strikes out Asdrubal Cabrera, forces Ryan Zimmerman to fly out to deep left center and strikes out Victor Robles swinging for a 1-2-3 inning.
End of first: Astros 2, Nationals 1
George Springer hits a leadoff double off the left-field wall and advances to third following a wild pitch. Jose Altuve brings Springer in on a sacrifice fly to deep left to tie the game.
Following a Michael Brantley strikeout, Alex Bregman slugs a solo home run over the left-field wall to put the Astros on top after one.
Middle of first: Nationals 1, Astros 0
Trea Turner leads off with an infield hit and advances to second on an Adam Eaton sacrifice bunt. Anthony Rendon then proceeds to knock Turner in with a single through a gap on the right side of the infield to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. Juan Soto and Howie Kendrick fly out to end the inning.