The Houston Astros defeated the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Sunday at Nationals Park in Game 5 of the World Series, bringing them just one win away from another championship title.

Astros starter Gerrit Cole took his team to their third straight win against the Nationals. He allowed only one earned run on three hits across seven innings, recording nine strikeouts and walking two.

The Nationals were without their ace pitcher Max Scherzer on Sunday. Scherzer was scratched from his Game 5 start hours before first pitch because of neck and back spasms. Joe Ross took the mound in place of Scherzer and gave up four earned runs on five hits across five innings. He struck out one and walked two.

The Astros will now head home, hoping to claim their second World Series title in three seasons. Justin Verlander will take the mound against Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg on Tuesday night for Game 6.

World Series 2019: Gerrit Cole pitches Astros to a 7-1 win and 3-2 lead over the Nationals

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