The first World Series game ever to be played in the state of Texas proves to be memorable when Geoff Blum’s 14th-inning solo home run (30th MLer to hit an HR in first WS AB) becomes the beginning of the end of the longest Fall Classic contest ever played. The 7-5 victory, which gives the White Sox a commanding 3-0 advantage over the Astros, takes 5 hours, 41 minutes to complete, with the 14 frames equaling the number of innings the Red Sox needed to beat the Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1916 series.

On October 25, 2005 — 2005 – In the first World Series game played in the state of Texas, Roy Oswalt loses an early 4-0 lead but the Astros tie it in the eighth on Jason Lane’s double. In the 14th, former Astro Geoff Blum wins the longest game in World Series history with a tiebreaking two-out solo home run off Ezequiel Astacio as the Chicago White Sox beat Houston, 7 – 5, at Minute Maid Park to move within a win of a sweep and of their first title since 1917. Mark Buehrle becomes the first pitcher to start and save consecutive World Series contests. After receiving a no-decision starting Game 2, the 26 year-old southpaw gets the final out in the 14th inning of Game 3 to record a save.

The 14-inning marathon lasts a total of 5 hours and 41 minutes. The previous longest game was 4:51 when the Yankees beat the Mets in 12 innings in Game 1 in 2000. This matches the longest game by innings, a Babe Ruth complete game for the Boston Red Sox against the Brooklyn Robins in Game 2 of the 1916 World Series (which lasted only 2:32). The 43 players used by both teams also are a Series record, as are the combined 17 pitchers and 30 runners left on base. Blum is the 30th MLB to hit an Homerun in first World Series At Bat.