ALCS Game 2, Astros vs. Yankees: Highlights, recap and more
The Houston Astros welcomed the New Yankees to town for Game 2 of the ALCS. Justin Verlander didn’t care, and he mowed down 13 batters.
After both teams played in high scoring divisional series, both the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees struggled to scratch a run across the play. Game 1 of the ALCS saw only three runs total score. Game 2 was the same.
The true story of the game was the pitching of starter Justin Verlander. Acquired last in the year from the Detroit Tigers, Verlander made his fifth ALCS start in his career. The last time he faced the Yankees in the playoffs, which was the 2012 ALCS, Verlander only struck out three. Today, it was 13.
For the day, Verlander went nine innings, allowed five hit and one run, along with one walk. In the bottom of the ninth, he was still throwing 96+ MPH.
Runs were hard to come by for both teams, however. The Astros scored in the top of the fourth, after Carlos Correa squeaked a home run to right field. Or was it? In what could be another “Jeffrey Meyer” incident, a young fan appears to reach over the fence for the ball. Still, the home run counted.
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The Yankees responded quickly after. In the top of the fifth, a double by Aaron Hicks was followed by a ground-rule double by Todd Frazier. The game was tied into the ninth.
Didi Gregorius singled for the Yankees in the top of the ninth, but failed to score. However, the Astros would come through off of Aroldis Chapman. Jose Altuve hit a one-out single to center to give the team a baserunner. A double by Correa gave the Astros the walk-off win, and a 2-0 series lead.
Three Stars
Justin Verlander: Nine innings with 13 strikeouts, Verlander dominated the game for the Astros, giving them a chance to win in the end. It also saved the bullpen for another game.
Carlos Correa: He may not be the AL MVP this year, because a Altuve may get that award. But, he his two RBI were just want the Astros needed to win.
Yankees pitching: They are an unsung star of the game. Starter Luis Severino left the game after four innings after getting hit on a comebacker. Still, the bullpen kept the Yankees in it till the end.
Highlights
12-year-old Carson Riley holds Carlos Correa home run ball. Play was reviewed because Carson tried to catch the ball at the wall and MLB checked to see if he interfered with the play which he did not. Carlos hits the home run. Carson has a great souvenir from game 2 of the ALCS pic.twitter.com/e5emoYXk51
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) October 14, 2017
Here’s the clutch two-out double by Todd Frazier. pic.twitter.com/Po1acWeABE
— Bronx Bomber Ball (@BronxBomberBall) October 14, 2017
WHAT. AN. ENDING. #ALCS pic.twitter.com/WSlrFjHDze
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 14, 2017
.@JustinVerlander tosses complete game as @TeamCJCorrea's #walkoff lifts @astros in Game 2 thriller. https://t.co/SAL2V0FCno #ALCS pic.twitter.com/nXv6bcy6iH
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2017
When you have a 2-0 #ALCS lead ... pic.twitter.com/aHahiPnOGq
— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) October 14, 2017
Next: Ranking the 10 best ballparks in Major League Baseball
Game 3 of the ALCS will be on Monday evening from Yankee Stadium. First pitch is slated for 8:08pm and will air on FS1. The Astros look to take a commanding lead with Charlie Morton taking the mound, while the Yankees counter with C.C. Sabathia.