The Houston Astros looked to push Seattle to their limit with a 2-0 series lead in the 2022 American League Division Series. Framber Valdez and Hector Neris dealt on the mound and Yordan Alvarez launched another key home run as the Astros defeated the Mariners 4-2 at Minute Maid Park.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game started with both pitchers retiring in order, but in the second inning, Kyle Tucker launched a solo homer to right field to give Houston the early 1-0 lead.
In the fourth, Seattle had runners on second and third with only one out, when Carlos Santana hit a weak grounder to the mound. Framber Valdez tried to make the play at the plate, but an errant throw scored the run. However, a great play from Martin Maldanado set up a tag out of Santana by Jose Altuve.
Dylan Moore came up next for Seattle and hit an RBI single to right field to give the Mariners the 2-1 in the fourth.
Yordan Alvarez delivered for the second game in a row, this time with a two-run home run in the sixth inning to the Crawford Boxes to put the Astros in front 3-2.
The Astros added another in the 8th on an RBI single from Alex Bregman, and Ryan Pressley came in to shut the door in the ninth to win it 4-2 for Houston.
BIG NUMBER: 104
The Astros’ hitters pushed Mariners ace Luis Castillo to his absolute limit, scoring three runs off of him and forcing him to throw 104 pitches.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Yordan Alvarez
Are we surprised?
The left fielder had another great game in the field as well as at the plate, launching a two-run homer in the sixth to give Houston the lead for good.
UP NEXT: The Astros and Mariners will meet in Seattle on Saturday for Game Three of the ALDS from TMobile Park. First pitch is scheduled for 3:07 and you can it on News Talk 98.5.