The Houston Astros won with Jose Altuve’s come-from-behind three-run shot in the top of the ninth inning, leaving only one win to advance to the World Series for the third consecutive year.
Houston came from behind to win 5-4 in Game 5 of the 2023 American League Championship Series against the Texas Rangers in the U.S. Major League Baseball at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on the 21st.
Houston, which won three consecutive games after losing two games in the ALCS, will advance to the World Series for three consecutive seasons following 2021 and 2022.
By far, Altuve was the main driver of the victory.
In the top of the ninth inning, when it was being dragged 2-4, Houston got on base with a left-handed hit by Yiner Diaz and John Singleton got a walk and took a chance to get first and second bases with no outs.
Altuve, a “small giant,” entered the batter’s box.
Altuve kicked a changeup that fell low to the body of Texas right-handed bullpen Jose Leclerc and fired a three-point reversal over the left wall.
On the same day, Houston led with Alex Bregman’s first solo home run in the top of the first inning.
Texas tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo shot to left by Nussanielo.
Houston breaks the balance with Jose Abreu’s one-run timely hit in the top of the sixth inning, but Texas scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to turn the tide.
After one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Corey Seager hit a double to right field, Evan Carter continued his chances at first and third base with a left-handed hit.
Adolis Garcia hit Houston starter Justin Verlander’s 153km/h first-pitch fastball to draw a come-from-behind three-point arch over the left-center wall.
Garcia watched the ball until the high floating ball landed in the outfield stands, and even performed a ceremony of throwing the bat hard.
This scene became a source of contention.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, a fastball of 159km per hour thrown by Houston’s right-handed bullpen Brian Abreu flew to Garcia’s left arm.
Garcia, who judged it to be an intentional dune, jumped on Houston catcher Martin Maldonado. Maldonado responded calmly.
The umpires ordered Abreu, who threw a walk, Houston coach Dusty Baker who protested Abreu’s exit, and Garcia, who ran to the catcher, to leave.
After the bench clearing, the atmosphere shifted toward Houston.
Houston overcame the crisis with no outs and runners on first and second bases in the bottom of the eighth inning without losing a point, and turned the game around with Altuve’s three-run shot in the top of the ninth inning.
He was driven to first and second bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Kessinger, a Houston shortstop, jumped and caught Seattle Marcus Simion’s strong hit, overcoming the final crisis. 토토사이트