The Astros are on the verge of reaching the World Series, again, because of Jose Altuve, again.
'Thank you. A billion times': How Torey Lovullo and Mike Hazen's friendship has withstood tragedy and the test of timein the top of the ninth inning, and after barely holding a lead through the bottom of the ninth, Houston -- which had lost the first two games of the American League Championship Series -- completed a sweep of three games in Arlington.
It had appeared the Rangers would win this emotional game, after coming back against a future Hall of Famer. The Astros took a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning, and with aceon the mound and the best Houston relievers fully rested, they were well-positioned to close out the game.
Leclerc had entered the game in the top of the eighth inning, to get one out. And he had to wait through the Garcia incident, through the umpires' meeting, through Baker's ejection and dugout sit-in. A lot of time had passed before Leclerc went out to throw the ninth, and later, Bochy spoke with frustration about how long it took to get action resumed.
Maldonado suggested after the game that perhaps the Astros had been alighted by the eighth-inning scrum. As Diaz and Singleton prepared to hit in the top of the ninth inning, Altuve grabbed an iPad to watch video of his previous plate appearances against Leclerc, just a reminder of Leclerc's delivery, how he released the ball, how he had pitched him in the past. In Altuve's 101st postseason game, there was no need for conversation, any prep.
The second baseman bounced around the bases, as the Astros' dugout erupted in chaotic celebration. When he got back to the dugout, Altuve made eye contact with hitting coach Alex Cintron in the dugout."Wow," Cintron said."You are unbelievable."
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