*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*
The Houston Astros offense is loaded with firepower, and they always can change the momentum of the game at any time. Carlos Correa hit the tying homer, Jose Altuve hit the walk off grand slam, and the Astros defeated the Texas Rangers 6-3 on Tuesday night.
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr said of Correa's tying homer that "Carlos, it feels like every time he gets an opportunity to capitalize on big moments, he does it. I can’t say enough how well Carlos has been swinging the bat and playing overall. This whole season, but definitely here of late. It has been special to watch."
Yuli Gurriel got the Astros started in the 6th inning, when he hit a sac fly that scored Michael Brantley, making it a 2-1 Rangers lead. It stayed that way until Correa belted a game tying solo homer to right field in the 9th, tying the game 2-2. In the 10th, trailing 3-2, Altuve blasted a grand slam to left field, giving Houston a dramatic walk off win.
McCullers Jr got the start for the Astros, allowing two runs on 3 hits and 3 walks in 4 1/3 innings pitched, striking out 3 hitters. Blake Taylor finished the 5th inning for McCullers Jr, before Jake Odorizzi came on and threw 4 scoreless innings of relief. Ryan Pressly got the win, allowing one run in the top of the 10th, striking out two hitters.
Altuve said of hitting the walk off home run that "We weren’t having a good game offensively, but that is the kind of team we are. Correa hit his homer, and that, for me, was the key to winning the game. If he doesn’t get that homer, it’s game over. That was the play of the game."
Joey Gallo got the Rangers on the board in the 4th inning, making it 1-0 on an RBI double to right center field. In the 5th, Gallo drew a bases loaded walk, scoring Isiah Kiner-Falefa and making it 2-0 Rangers. In the 10th, an RBI single from Nate Lowe gave Texas a 3-2 lead, before the Astros walked it off in the bottom of the 10th.
Demarcus Evans pitched the 10th for the Rangers, not recording a single out and getting hit with the loss. It helped to waste a spectacular start from Kyle Gibson, who allowed one run on 7 hits and one walk, recording 3 strikeouts over 6 strong innings. Spencer Patton and Brett Martin handled the 7th and 8th innings, and Josh Sborz allowed the tying homer to Correa in the 9th.
Gibson said of how the game ended that "In the grand scheme, obviously, it didn't work out, but I think any time when you're on the road, going into the ninth inning and your offense doesn’t have to battle back, that's a good thing. I think in the moment, it’s big. We trust our bullpen. We trust those guys out there, and we’ll take our chances 2-1 going into the ninth inning."
The Rangers and Astros conclude their series Wednesday night, with Zack Greinke getting the start for Houston, and Jordan Lyles going for the Rangers.
Comments
Post a Comment