ALCS GAME 2 RECAP: Rangers 5- Astros 4
The Astros are headed to Arlington down 0-2 in this ALCS, right where they want to be.
The Texas Rangers withstood everything the Astros threw at them, (mainly they withstoodYordan Álvarez) to take a 2-0 lead in the ALCS with a 5-4 victory in Game 2. Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi was solid, as he gave up five hits across six innings, and the Rangers used a five-single, four-run first inning to exit Minute Maid Park with the series lead.
Eovaldi never allowed the Astros’ bats to get comfortable Monday.
The toughest moment of Eovaldi’s day came in the fifth inning. With the Rangers nursing a 5-2 lead, he allowed singles to Brantley and Chas McCormick. Then Jeremy Peña hit a routine ground ball to third base, and Josh Jung whiffed as he tried to field it.
All the runners were safe, and Houston had three men on with no outs. Texas pitching coach Mike Maddux came out of the dugout for a meeting with Eovaldi. He gave the pitcher an extended breather, and Eovaldi collected himself.
The Astros’ faithful were yelling at the top of their lungs as Yanier Diaz came in to pinch hit with hopes of cutting into the deficit. Instead, Eovaldi got him chasing a curveball out of the zone for strike three. Then came Altuve, whom Eovaldi made quick work of in four pitches. Finally, Bregman grounded out to third.
This time, Jung corralled the grounder to end the inning and the threat.
The Rangers will give the ball to Max Scherzer in game 3 for his first start of this postseason, looking to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Astros’ starter has yet to be announced.
Panic time for the Astros? I don’t think so, they have been there, done that and have the tee-shirts and the rings to prove it.
Also, Houston has the best road record in baseball while only playing about 500 ball at home. I say advantage is still to the Astros.
