MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (KTRK) — The Houston Astros are off and swinging in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
The ‘Stros opened the game with a four-run first inning, including a 442-foot, three-run home run to left field, to give Houston an early 4-0 lead.
Houston then registered a hit in every inning against Minnesota starting pitcher Sonny Gray, who was chased out in the fifth inning after giving up eight hits, including a second Astros homer to Alex Bregman, and five runs.
The Astros own a 6-0 lead after the sixth inning.
The Astros’ starter, Cristian Javier, kept the Twins in check so far. He’s allowed just a hit and five walks through five innings.
The game is in progress. An earlier edition of this story can be found below.
When night falls in the Midwest on Tuesday, the Houston Astros may know whether their dynastic ride toward another World Series championship got one win closer.
On the flip side, once the final out is called in Game 3 of the American League Division Series, the Astros may also know that they’re fighting for their playoff lives.
The ALDS shifts to Minneapolis, where the Minnesota Twins are hosting Houston for two games after both teams split victories at Minute Maid Park over the weekend.
Much can be said about Houston’s apparent preference to let down host teams’ fans over the season. The ‘Stros were 51-30 as visitors this season, compared to the 39-42 record at MMP.
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Despite this, the Astros must also be cognizant of the mess of a Game 2 they experienced on Sunday when their bats went silent for seven innings against Minnesota’s ace pitcher, Pablo Lopez.
For Game 3, Houston’s offense faces Sonny Gray, who has held the current Houston lineup to just 34 hits, including nine extra-base hits, over his career. Only Astros first baseman Jose Abreu has a home run against Gray all-time.
It’s a test for the Astros, who need fire-power in a hostile environment.
Cristian Javier is getting the starting nod for Game 3, which is his first postseason start since becoming the six-inning catalyst of a combined no-hitter in Game 4 of the World Series last year on the road.
In fact, Javier’s last two playoff wins were shutout performances, with the New York Yankees in last year’s AL Championship Series being the other victims.
No. 53 is pitching on nine days’ rest.
Javier is backed up by a different-looking lineup than those in Games 1 and 2.
Manager Dusty Baker inserted rookie Yanier Diaz as the designated hitter and Mauricio Dubon in centerfield, who are batting sixth and seventh, respectively. With Yordan Alvarez starting in leftfield, the Astros opted to go without Michael Brantley and Chas McCormick, who each registered a hit in the first two games.
Check back with this page for updates throughout the game, and tune into Eyewitness News as ABC13 Sports goes live from the Twin Cities.
2023 ALDS schedule and results, series tied 1-1
Houston Astros’ Jeremy Pena celebrates a double against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning in Game 2 of an American League Division Series baseball game, Oct. 8, 2023.
AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox
- Game 1: Astros 6, Twins 4
- Game 2: Twins 6, Astros 2
- Game 3: Houston at Minnesota, Tuesday, 3 p.m.
- Game 4: Houston at Minnesota, Wednesday, 1:07 p.m.
- Game 5: Minnesota at Houston, Friday, 3:07 p.m.*+
All times Central Time.
* – if necessary
+ – If only one ALDS Game 5 remains on Friday, Oct. 13, the game will be at 7:03 p.m.
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