Astros edge Phillies in tense Game 5 to reach brink of World Series title

• Astros win 3-2 over Phillies to take 3-2 lead in World Series
• As it happened: Houston Astros 3-2 Philadelphia Phillies

Justin Verlander overcame an early jolt to grit out the World Series win that long eluded him, rookie Jeremy Pena hit a go-ahead home run and the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Thursday night to head home with a 3-2 lead.

Buoyed by late defensive gems from Trey Mancini and Chas McCormick, the Astros moved to the brink of their second championship the other was a scandal-tainted title in 2017.