(Houston) Alex Bregman hit a three-run homer and the Houston Astros defeated the New York Yankees 3-2 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in the American Championship Series.
Updated at 12:18 a.m.
Martin Maldonado (reached hitter) and Yordan Alvarez (optional) were on base on Bregman’s first hit of the series. The third baseman also hit a long ball in the previous round against the Seattle Mariners.
With 14 career homers in the playoffs, Bregman dethroned Justin Turner as the Major League Baseball record holder at his position.
New York chipped away two runs in the fourth inning, with a productive option from Anthony Rizzo and a one-run single from Gleyber Torres.
After posting 106 wins this season, the Astros went undefeated in five playoff games after sweeping the Mariners.
“We have several players on good streaks. We would like everyone to be on a good streak going into the end,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said.
Bregman and Yuli Gurriel each had two hits, among eight total for the Astros. Leading hitter Jose Altuve was less successful, going 0-for-4. He’s been 0-for-23 in the playoffs.
Twenty-four hours after Justin Verlander put 11 Yankees players through the mitt in a 4-2 win, Framber Valdez struck out nine batters in seven innings, allowing two runs and four hits. He did not allow a base on walks.
Valdez left the game after striking out all three batters in the seventh. Bryan Abreu pitched in the eighth and Ryan Pressly earned the save, striking out three batters.
The Yankees racked up just four hits, including three singles. Josh Donaldson hit a double.
Aaron Judge came close to hitting a two-run homer in the eighth, but the ball ended up in the glove of right fielder Kyle Tucker at the fence. The ball reportedly landed in the stands at Yankee Stadium, but with the roof open at Minute Maid Park, the wind may have slowed the object.
“I think the roof kind of killed us,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. I don’t think it was an unequivocal home run, but it looked like a home run to the right. »
Luis Severino gave up three runs and five hits in five and a third innings.
The series will continue Saturday night in the Big Apple. Gerrit Cole should then face Lance McCullers Jr. of the Astros.