Michael Brantley comes through with clutch two-out single to take lead (Video)

Michael Brantley and the Houston Astros take the lead in Game 5

Will three runs be enough? Likely not. In the top of the third inning, the Astros applied extra pressure to the Rays, as under-appreciated outfielder Michael Brantley hit a clutch two-out RBI to give Houston a two-run lead.

Houston was down 3-0 in this series, but it’s a rare case when a team down three games wasn’t necessarily thoroughly outplayed. The Astros had a chance in nearly every game so far, and obviously won Game 4 in stunning fashion. Should they be able to take Game 5, the Rays will be forced to win one of the final two games to avoid being only the second team to blow a 3-0 playoff advantage in MLB history, joining the ’04 New York Yankees. That’s territory they’d rather avoid.

At this point, Dusty Baker is riding the wave. Few thought he’d even be managing at this age, let alone in a position to take the Astros to the World Series.