HOUSTON ASTROS 4
NEW YORK YANKEES 6
NEW YORK, NY– Gary Sanchez drove in three runs for the Yankees, including two on a double to cap off a four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving them a 6-4 lead. Sonny Gray allowed two runs (one earned) on one one hit and two walks with four strikeouts.
The double was Sanchez’s first hit of the series and his three RBI equaled his total for the postseason coming into the game. The Yankees have held the Astros to six or less hits in each of the four games so far in the ALCS, marking the first time the Astros have been held to as few hits in four consecutive games all season.
Yuli Gurriel knocked in three runs with a double for the Astros, giving him four RBI and a pair of doubles in the series. Lance McCullers Jr. gave up one run on two hits and two walks, striking out three in six innings for the Astros. The game marked McCullers first start this postseason.
The momentum of the Yankees’ eighth inning rally almost never started. After Todd Frazier singled to start the inning, Chase Headley came to the plate as a pinch hitter, replacing catcher Austin Romine. Headley worked a five-pitch at bat and smacked the ball into left-centerfield. Frazier moved to third easily, but on his way to second Headley stumbled, and the throw came into Gurriel at first. With heading back to first base out of the question, Headley scrambled toward second, narrowly beating a throw to be safe at second. Frazier scored on a ground out by Brett Gradner and Jacoby Ellsbury, who pinch ran for Headley after he advanced to third, scored the tying run on a double for Aaron Judge.
The last time the Yankees came back from down by four or more runs in the playoffs was game seven of the 2003 ALCS, which Aaron Boone ended with a walk-off home run to send them to the World Series. The Yankees are now 18-3 in their last 21 games, and 5-0 in the playoffs, at home. The teams will meet again in game five Wednesday, where fans will see a rematch of the game one pitching match: Masahiro Tanaka for the Yankees and Dallas Keuchel for the Astros.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS (3-0) 6
CHICAGO CUBS (0-3) 1
CHICAGO, IL– Chris Taylor led the Dodgers with two RBI and two hits, doubling his hit total for the series to four. Yu Darvish pitched six-and-one-third innings, letting up one run on six hits and one walk, fanning seven. Tony Watson, Brandon Morrow, Ross Stripling and Kenley Jansen combined to shut out the Cubs in the final two-and-two-thirds innings, surrendering two hits and one walk, while punching out four.
Darvish has now allowed two runs, eight hits and one walk, adding 14 strikeouts in 11.1 innings pitched this postseason.
Taylor gave the Dodgers the lead for good with a solo home run in the third inning. After Darvish struck out to open the inning, Taylor stepped to the plate, drawing a 3-1 count. With the Cubs not desiring to walk him, Taylor saw an 88-mph fastball near the heart of the strike zone, which he took advantage of by launching 444 feet into centerfield, putting the Dodgers up 2-1.
A win in game four on Wednesday would send the Dodgers to the World Series. It would be the franchise’s 22nd National League pennant, placing them one shy of tying the NL record of 23, held by the San Francisco Giants. The Cubs will send Jake Arrieta to the mound in game four, while the Dodgers will counter with lefty Alex Wood.
WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE:
HOUSTON ASTROS vs. NEW YORK YANKEES (Game 5) 5:08 p.m.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS vs. CHICAGO CUBS (Game 4) 9 p.m.
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