Astros rookie Urquidy makes history with dominant Game 4 start

The Houston Astros had their eyes on a bullpen day for Game 4. Jose Urquidy was having none of it.

Urquidy, the Astros' lesser-known rookie right-hander, dominated the Washington Nationals on Saturday, silencing their bats over five scoreless innings of work at Nationals Park.

The 24-year-old allowed just two hits while striking out four and walking none. He was lifted despite having thrown just 67 pitches - 45 of which were strikes - and allowing only four hard-hit balls, according to Baseball Savant.

Urquidy became only the second pitcher of baseball's divisional era (since 1969) to have a scoreless outing in his first career postseason start in the World Series, according to MLB Stats. He joined Jon Lester, who did it for the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the 2007 World Series, in the exclusive club.

Additionally, Urquidy is just the fourth rookie to spin a scoreless start in the World Series over the last 30 years, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Prior to Saturday, Urquidy - the Astros' No. 11 prospect, as ranked by MLB Pipeline - had made just two playoff appearances. During the regular season, he pitched in nine big-league games (seven starts), posting a 3.95 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 40 strikeouts over that span.

Despite his low pitch count, Houston manager AJ Hinch lifted Urquidy for Josh James to start the sixth inning. James and Will Harris combined to get out of the inning allowing one earned run, keeping the Astros in front 4-1.