(Minneapolis) José Abreu hit his third home run in two games and the Houston Astros defeated the Minnesota Twins 3-2 on Wednesday, reaching the American Championship Series for a seventh consecutive time.
Abreu broke the 1-1 deadlock with a two-run homer in the fourth inning.
Michael Brantley also homered for the Astros, who eliminated the Twins in four games.
José Urquidy gave up two runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out six batters.
Minnesota’s points came from long balls from Quebecer Édouard Julien and Royce Lewis.
PHOTO STACY BENGS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Édouard Julien
Ryan Pressly, who pitched for more than five years with the Twins before being traded to Houston in 2018, closed the books with three strikeouts in the ninth.
A Texas battle will pit the Astros against the Rangers starting Sunday at Minute Maid Park.
World Series champions in 2017 and 2022, Houston should send three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander to the mound. It would be his 36e career start in the playoffs.
The Astros finished the series against the Twins with 10 home runs. Abreu had eight RBIs.
Chris Paddack was valiant in relief for the Twins: he got seven outs including four strikes, while allowing only one hit.