HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — It’s still early in this American League title game, but the Astros looked like they could go 15 laps while withstanding any blow the Yankees can throw at them.
Houston and New York go into Game 2 of the AL Championship Series on Thursday night and give each other their best swing in Game 1 the night before.
The Astros proved once again that they can remain resilient enough to win despite two Yankees home runs, which were the only runs scored in Houston’s opening win.
GRIDLOCK ALERT: Ready for round 2? Expect another night of crowds and closures for ALCS Game 2
However, Game 2 is a brand new game and Houston is expected to tap into the same resilience to prevent the ALCS from tangling before heading to the Bronx.
And they will need it. The only day off of the entire series is between Games 2 and 3. If the ALCS requires Games 5 and 6, there is no day off for travel between them. That means both teams can play in New York, get ready in the evening, pack up and fly to Houston, and play the next night.
This article features the key developments in tonight’s game. Check back for updates as they happen.
GAME 1 SUMMARY: Astros take ALCS Game 1 behind 3 solo home runs and JV’s record night
Breggy shoots bomb for early lead
Houston Astros Alex Bregman (2) hits a solo homer in the third inning in Game 2 of the ALCS on Thursday, October 20, 2022 in Houston.
AP Photo/Sue Ogrockic
The first runs of the game came from Alex Bregman, who with two outs and two runners on base in the third inning crushed Luis Severino’s four seam fastball 360 feet to the left.
Astros led 3-0.
Immediately after, in the top of the fourth inning, Framber Valdez’s was charged with an error when he, along with Aaron Judge at the start, dropped a weak pop-up from Giancarlo Stanton and crashed to first base, causing the runners advanced to second and third base.
Valdez would then give up two RBI’s, each on a sacrifice grounder and an infield hit.
Astros’ lead was narrowed to 3-2, which would remain unchanged into the seventh inning.
King of quality starts becomes one in
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) works from the mound during the first inning in Game 2 of the ALCS on October 20, 2022 in Houston.
AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox
For a second consecutive postseason game, a starting pitcher of Astros was able to outlast his Yankee counterpart.
Framber Valdez, whose 2022 was highlighted by his run of 25 consecutive quality starts, threw seven innings with four hits, giving up only two runs – both unearned – on 101 pitches.
After his error in the fourth inning, Valdez regained control and threw five of his nine strikeouts the rest of the way.
By contrast, Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino was pulled after five and a third innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs, all of which were scored from the Bregman homer.
Tuck robs judge
Indeed, the Yankees threatened Astros’ lead since Bregman’s home run.
The attempt to overtake Houston came closest in the eighth inning with Aaron Judge hitting with one runner on base and Houston’s Bryan Abreu pitching in relief.
Judge, who plays in right field, launched a fly-ball from the first pitch to deep right where his counterpart, Kyle Tucker, made only a slight bounce against the wall to take the second out of the inning.
Abreu would escape that inning with a strikeout by Giancarlo Stanton.
Yes, the roof is open
And no, the Minute Maid Park roof (the roof) isn’t on fire, but it certainly doesn’t need water, even though the crowd should be lit anyway.
There wasn’t a cloud over downtown Houston by the time the first pitch was thrown.
Why is the roof open then? That’s a Major League Baseball call. Normally, the Astros organization would be able to make that call if the temperature and humidity drop to a certain point. However, MLB will take that decision in the postseason.
Game 2 marks only the sixth time in franchise history after the season that the roof was open. The Astros have a 1-4 record in the playoffs while playing under the stars.
Golden ‘Stros: Houston well represented as finalists for defensive top prize’
Rookie Jeremy Peña’s regular season — and post-season really — could mean some honorary hardware by the end of the season.
Prior to Game 2, the Astros shortstop was named as one of three finalists in his position for the AL Gold Glove. The other finalists are Xander Bogaerts of Boston and Carlos Correa of Minnesota, who replaced Peña in the Houston position.
Outfielder Kyle Tucker joins Peña as the only other Astros representative to become a finalist. He received his second consecutive nomination in the right field.
Fans of Peña, Tucker and Astros will find out the winners of the Gold Glove during a special edition of ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” on November 1 at 4 p.m., which takes place ahead of Game 4 of the upcoming World Series.
2022 AL Championship Series: Astros lead 1-0Game 1: Astros 4, Yankees 2Game 2: at Houston, Thursday, 6:37 p.m.Game 3: at New York Yankees, Saturday, 4:07 p.m.Game 4: at New York Yankees, Sunday, October 23, 6:07 PM Game 5*: in New York Yankees, Monday, October 24, 3:07 PM or 4:07 PM Game 6*: in Houston, Tuesday, October 25, 5:07 PM or 6:37 AM Game 7*: in Houston, Wednesday, October 26, 6:37 PM
All times quoted are CDT. Games 5-7 are as needed*.
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