The Houston Astros were defeated 6-2 by the Minnesota Twins in game two of the American League Division Series inside Minute Maid Park on Sunday night. The loss evens the series at one game apiece as the series shifts to Minnesota on Tuesday.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After winning game one on Saturday, the Astros turned to Framber Valdez to start game two. Valdez did not have his best stuff early, giving up an RBI double in the first to former Astro Carlos Correa.
In the second, Valdez gave up a two-run home run to Kyle Farmer, making it 3-0 Twins early on. At that point, Framber was able to settle in, but the Astros were in an early hole.
The Twins turned to right-hander Pablo Lopez in this one. Lopez was effective early, stifling the Astros powerful lineup. Houston threatened with runners on the corners in the third, but Lopez struck out Chas McCormick to get out of the jam with no damage done.
After navigating the third and fourth innings with no damage done, Valdez struggled again in the fifth. The Twins loaded the bases, and once again Correa came up clutch with a two-run single. That made it 5-0 and ended Framber’s start earlier than expected.
For Lopez, it became a night to remember. He kept the Astros’ offense off balance and worked deep into the game, finishing his outing with seven shutout innings and seven strikeouts.
The Astros did finally get some offense in the eighth. Off of Twins reliever Brock Stewart, Yordan Alvarez hit his third home run in two days to drive in a pair and make it 6-2 Twins.
Despite it not being a save situation, Minnesota went with their star closer Jhoan Duran in the ninth. He got the Astros in order, capped by an incredible play by Correa to finish off the ballgame, a 6-2 win for the Twins.
BIG NUMBER: 7
The Twins got seven shutout innings from Pablo Lopez. That was a huge boost, as it will allow their bullpen to be fresher as the series shifts to Minneapolis.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Carlos Correa
The former Astro reminded fans of how clutch he is. Multiple RBI knocks created and added to the Twins lead, setting them up for success throughout the night. Correa finished the night with three hits, three RBIs, and two doubles.
UP NEXT: Game three will be in Minnesota between the Twins and the Astros on Tuesday, October 10th at 3:07 P.M.