*Photo from Sportsnet*
Houston leads series 2-0
Entering the 7th inning, the Houston Astros were nearing a hard fought game two loss, until Craig Kimbrel came in the game. After that, everything changed. Carlos Correa drove in two runs, Kyle Tucker homered, and the Astros rallied to beat the Chicago White Sox 9-4 on Friday afternoon.
With the win, Houston takes a 2-0 series lead over the White Sox, needing just one more win to lock up a spot in the ALCS, with the ability to clinch as early as Sunday. It's all due to the contributions of the highest scoring offense in baseball that has them at this point.
Astros manager Dusty Baker said of his offense that "That's our team. I mean, this is a big-inning team. Sometimes people wonder why we don't bunt or why we don't squeeze or whatever it is, which I believe in also, but you're keeping the other team in the game by keeping the other team close. We've got a big-inning team. It doesn't always work, but when it works, it works great."
The White Sox jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, with Eloy Jimenez grounding into a fielders choice that scored Luis Robert. In the second inning, the Astros took a 2-1 lead thanks to an RBI single from Tucker and a sac fly from Chas McCormick. In the top of the 5th, the White Sox rallied to a 4-2 lead thanks to RBI singles from Robert and Jose Abreu, plus a Yasmani Grandal sac fly. Yuli Gurriel quickly tied the game in the bottom of the 5th on a two run single.
The 7th inning rally started with an RBI single from Alvarez, scoring Jose Altuve to make it a 5-4 lead for the Astros. Up next was a two run double off the bat of Correa, scoring Alvarez and Alex Bregman to put the Astros ahead 7-4, going all the way to the right field wall. Tucker put the icing on the cake with a two run home run to left field, making it a 9-4 game.
Correa said of the rally to win the game that "It's a great feeling. We've got to stay focused and take care of business when we go to Chicago. That’s a great team we're playing on the other side. They can get the job done any time. It doesn't matter if they're down two games. They will fight back. We've got to stay focused and try to get one more win."
Ryne Stanek got the win in relief for the Astros, working a shutout 7th inning to move to 1-0 this postseason. Framber Valdez lasted 4 1/3 innings in his start, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and one walk, fanning 6 hitters. Yimi Garcia finished the 5th inning, followed by relief work by Phil Maton, Stanek, Ryan Pressly, and Kendall Graveman.
Aaron Bummer got the loss for the White Sox, giving up 3 runs on 3 hits and one strikeout in just 1/3 of an inning, being responsible for the first runners to score while Kimbrel was on the mound, who was charged with two runs. Lucas Giolito lasted 4 1/3 innings in his start, allowing 4 runs on 3 hits and 5 walks. Garrett Crochet, Ryan Tepera, and Liam Hendriks also pitched.
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson said of falling behind 2-0 in the series that "Our backs are against the wall right now. We know what we need to do, we’ve got to take care of business. Things will get better. It’s good to head back home, for sure."
Game 3 of the series is on Sunday in Chicago, with Luis Garcia starting for the White Sox as they look to punch their ticket to the ALCS. Dylan Cease starts for the White Sox as their season hangs in the balance.
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