Rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña drove in two key runs and veteran ace Justin Verlander gutted through five innings as the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Philles, 3-2, in Game 5 of the World Series on Thursday night. Verlander's first career World Series win has the Astros on the cusp of this core's second championship, and first since the sign-stealing scandal.

A night after Cristian Javier and company threw a no-hitter, Verlander ... did not. He gave up a home run to Phillies leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber, then had to navigate trouble in the second and third innings. At times it looked like the likely Cy Young winner wouldn't make it out of the second. But he got out of each sticky situation, and made it through five before handing it off to the Astros bullpen.

A postseason staple, Verlander had been 0-6 with a 6.07 ERA in eight World Series starts. He got a no decision in Game 1 of this series after coughing up an early five-run lead.

Astros defense saves the day

Dominant throughout the series, the Houston relievers required some spectacular defensive help this time.

Forced into action at first base when Yuli Gurriel exited with an injury sustained in a rundown, the Astros' Trey Mancini found himself in a huge moment.

With the Phillies mounting a rally in the eighth, he snagged a blistered ground ball off the bat of Kyle Schwarber that would have brought in the tying run from third, and may have even scored a go-ahead run from first. In the ninth inning, center fielder and Philadelphia native Chas McCormick made a dazzling catch leaping into the fence to take extra bases from J.T. Realmuto.

In the end, Dusty Baker got five outs from closer Ryan Pressly.

Altuve, Peña lift Astros lineup

The Astros' top two hitters carried the offense. Continuing his excellent first playoff run, Peña singled in Houston's first run in the first, then homered in the fourth. Jose Altuve spent the night setting the table for him. Thoroughly out of his October slump, Altuve laced two hits, walked and scored two runs.

The Astros will return to Houston with a championship on the table. Friday will be an off day — MLB kept it on the schedule after the Game 3 rainout — and Game 6 will be Saturday night. Framber Valdez will go for the title while the Phillies will hand the ball to Zack Wheeler.

How'd we get here? Catch up on everything you need to know for the World Series:

• Phillies' Dave Dombrowski in his 5th World Series. Should more teams play his 'Moneyball?'

• Rob Thomson and the Phillies' aggression makes the difference in Game 1

• Astros rookie Jeremy Peña always had eyes on the majors. Just ask his friends

• 7 storylines to follow in the World Series

• Boo them all you want, but this Astros team is a burgeoning dynasty

• How the Phillies long, winding rebuild finally paid off

• The chosen one? Bryce Harper's Phillies triumph was anything but preordained

• How did MLB reach a point where no American-born Black players will play in the World Series?

• The Astros' pitching development juggernaut means they could be good for years to come

• Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. gets a shot at playoff glory after injury-shortened 2021

• The Phillies are taking their own very weird path toward a World Series

• The Dodgers and Braves aren't out because of the new playoff format. That's just the playoffs

• Why pitching depth matters more than ever in the 2022 playoffs