NEW YORK YANKEES (0-2) 1
HOUSTON ASTROS (2-0) 2
HOUSTON, TX– Carlos Correa delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Astros a 2-0 lead in the series. Justin Verlander threw a complete game, allowing one run on five hits and one walk, fanning 13 to earn the win.
Correa now has nine RBI in six games so far in the playoffs, including three in the first two games of the ALCS. Verlander holds the record for most postseason games with 10 or more strikeouts with seven.
Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson tossed a combined four scoreless innings for the Yankees, giving up one hit and one walk with three strikeouts. Robertson has allowed just one run in 10 innings pitched over five games so far this postseason.
With Jose Altuve on first in the ninth inning, Correa stepped to the plate and hit the sixth pitch of the at bat into the right-centerfield gap. Yankees’ right fielder Aaron Judge cut the ball off in the gap and fired it towards shortstop Didi Gregorius, seemingly looking to throw Correa out going into second. However, as the ball reached Gregorius, Altuve came speeding around third, making a break to the plate. Gregorius threw the ball to home plate in plenty of time to get Altuve out, but the throw went low and bounced off the glove of catcher Gary Sanchez, allowing Altuve to slide in safely behind him with the winning run.
The series now shifts to New York for games three to five (if necessary), beginning on Monday.
CHICAGO CUBS (0-1) 2
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (1-0) 5
LOS ANGELES, CA– Yasiel Puig knocked in two runs on two hits, including a solo home run, giving him six RBI in four playoff games this season. Clayton Kershaw lasted five innings for the Dodgers, letting up two runs on four hits and one walk, adding four strikeouts. Kenley Jansen capped off four shut out innings by the Dodgers’ bullpen with one-and-one-third scoreless and hitless innings, punching out four.
The home run was the first for Puig in the playoffs coming in his 31st career playoff game. Kershaw improved to 2-4 lifetime in the NLCS thanks to starting 15 of his 20 batters faced with a strike, having made nine appearances in five trips to the championship series.
Albert Almora Jr. smacked a two-run home run in the fourth inning for the Cubs, his first career postseason home run. Jose Quintana threw five innings for the Cubs, surrendering two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out four. Quintana benefited from keeping the ball on the ground, generating eight ground ball outs to just three fly outs. He has yet to factor in the decision in three postseason appearances.
Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon was ejected from the game in the seventh inning after arguing an overturned call at home plate, giving the Dodgers a fifth run. On the play, Charlie Culberson attempted to score from second on base hit to left field. As Culberson approached the plate, the ball reached catcher Willson Contreras, who tagged Culberson out as he slid in. But, being challenged by the Dodgers, the play was reviewed and the umpires ruled Contreras blocked the plate with his leg prior to receiving the ball, which a catcher can no longer do. Culberson was, therefore, automatically safe at home.
The Dodgers and Cubs will stay in Los Angeles for game two on Sunday, before heading to Chicago from games three, four and five (if necessary).
SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE:
CHICAGO CUBS vs. LOS ANGELES DODGERS (Game 2) 7:38 p.m.
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