Astros manager Dusty Baker was concerned he would need to use his bullpen early when Justin Verlander struggled and required 45 pitches to complete two innings.
Astros manager Dusty Baker was concerned he would need to use his bullpen early when Justin Verlander struggled and required 45 pitches to complete two innings.
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Instead, the seasoned ace settled in and got into a rhythm, striking out 11 batters in six shutout innings to lead Houston past the New York Yankees 4-2 in Game 1 of the ALCS on Wednesday.
Instead, the seasoned ace settled in and got into a rhythm, striking out 11 batters in six shutout innings to lead Houston past the New York Yankees 4-2 in Game 1 of the ALCS on Wednesday.
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For Houston, Yuli Gurriel hit a tie-breaking home run in the sixth inning. After finishing 106-56 in the regular season, the AL West champions advanced to 4-0 in the postseason with contributions from Chas McCormick and Jeremy Pea.
For Houston, Yuli Gurriel hit a tie-breaking home run in the sixth inning. After finishing 106-56 in the regular season, the AL West champions advanced to 4-0 in the postseason with contributions from Chas McCormick and Jeremy Pea.
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The Astros face a New York club in the LCS for the first time since Houston eliminated them in 2019 as they attempt to win their sixth straight ALCS and advance to the World Series for the fourth time in that period.
The Astros face a New York club in the LCS for the first time since Houston eliminated them in 2019 as they attempt to win their sixth straight ALCS and advance to the World Series for the fourth time in that period.
Gurriel connected off reliever Clarke Schmidt for a single blast into the left-field seats to give Houston the lead with the score tied 1-1. Schmidt's sinker was hit into right field by McCormick two batters later, bringing the score to 3-1.
Gurriel connected off reliever Clarke Schmidt for a single blast into the left-field seats to give Houston the lead with the score tied 1-1. Schmidt's sinker was hit into right field by McCormick two batters later, bringing the score to 3-1.
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Verlander's ninth postseason game with double-digit strikeouts broke a major league record. With 219 strikeouts in playoff play, he overtook Clayton Kershaw (213) to take the lead.
Verlander's ninth postseason game with double-digit strikeouts broke a major league record. With 219 strikeouts in playoff play, he overtook Clayton Kershaw (213) to take the lead.
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Pea homered off Frankie Montas to start the eighth and increase the lead to 4-1 after his 18th-inning home run finished off a Mariners sweep in the ALDS.
Pea homered off Frankie Montas to start the eighth and increase the lead to 4-1 after his 18th-inning home run finished off a Mariners sweep in the ALDS.
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He got the four-out save by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth and getting Matt Carpenter struck out to close the inning.
He got the four-out save by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth and getting Matt Carpenter struck out to close the inning.