The Astros’ three home runs off the Yankees’ bullpen in Game 1 of the ALCS, along with Justin Verlander’s Cy Young-caliber performance, helped Houston win the game 4-2.
After an early run exchange, the teams were tied at one run apiece going into the bottom of the sixth. The Yankees had already crossed a delicate line in the fifth inning when reliever Clarke Schmidt turned a double play to get out of a jam after manager Aaron Boone left starter Jameson Taillon in to begin face the Astros order for the third time. Schmidt couldn’t return for the sixth because it was too much. Yuli Gurriel and Chas McCormick both hit a solo home run to extend the Astros’ lead.
Astros shortstop rookie A powerful home shot by Yankees trade deadline acquisition Frankie Montas, who was added to the ALCS roster and used out of the bullpen, gave Jeremy Pea, the ALDS MVP who led Houston to an 18-inning victory over the Mariners, a run in the seventh inning.
Astro’s rookie hit a solo home run.
On Saturday, Jeremy Pea delivered a clutch solo home run at T-Mobile Park in Seattle to break a scoreless tie. Game 3 featured one of the greatest pitching duel in MLB history, but Houston’s lineup ultimately broke through owing to the performance of their rookie shortstop. The Astros are now up 1-0 in Game 3 as they try to secure their sixth straight ALCS berth.
Verlander in action
Whether or not cheating batters are present, Verlander remains the difference between the two American League aces, even at the age of 39 and with a repaired right arm.
If the league flows through Houston, running through Verlander is the more challenging task, as evidenced by Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and his six consecutive ALCS appearances. The Yankees weren’t prepared for it once more.
Verlander’s six innings of performance saw him strike out 11 Yankees, keeping his team in the game against a squad that had travelled from New York worn out from recently winning the AL Division before the game with Cleveland. Jeremy Pea, Chas McCormick, and Yuli Gurriel all hit home runs off the overworked Yankees bullpen to seal a 4-2 victory in Game 1.
They won’t depart anytime soon, Mariners.
It had been a while since a club in the losing position scored the game-winning shot since Joe Carter’s home run gave Toronto the 1993 World Series triumph.
Although the Astros’ 8-7 victory over the Seattle Mariners occurred too early in the postseason to be remembered, Alvarez’s performance still astounded the 41,125 fans and those in both clubhouses.
The Mariners, who are participating in the postseason for the first time in nearly 20 years, surrendered a lead akin to the one they overcame in their victory over Toronto on Saturday in order to secure the wild card. Houston overcame a 7-3 deficit behind to Alex Bregman’s two-run home run in the eighth inning, and the Astros went on to win their ninth straight playoff game, tying a major league record.
George Kirby, a rookie pitcher for the Mariners, will start the team’s first postseason contest. He faced the Toronto Blue Jays in a relief appearance during the AL Wild Card series and pitched one no-hit inning, striking out one and walking one. Kirby made 25 starts in his rookie campaign in the majors, finishing with an 8-5 record and a 3.39 ERA.