New game, same story: The Houston Astros took Game 3 of the ALCS from New York Yankees A strong pitching staff should completely defeat any hope of the offense. This time, they allowed just three hits in a 5-0 victory, suffocating the Yankee Stadium crowd and taking a 3-0 series lead. The Astros, in their sixth straight ALCS, are one win away from their fourth World Series in six years — and their third postseason New York win.
The Astros are now undefeated in the postseason at 6-0.
Christian Xavier, a breakout arm in 2022, made his first start of the season Saturday night after 12 relief outings on Oct. He struck out five Yankees, walked three and allowed just one hit. Houston didn’t hit well Gerrit Cole, but they applied enough pressure to score five runs. First, Chas McCormick He then cranked a two-run homer Harrison Bader And Aaron Judge Miscontact in the outfield extended the inning.
Then, Cole walked with the bases loaded in the sixth, only to see the reliever Lou Trevino Allow all three runners to score. In all, the Yankees ace allowed five runs, only three earned.
A stagnant Yankees offense It hit a low point in its worst streak. Giancarlo StantonA fourth-inning double was their only hit in the ninth inning, when the Yankees mounted a brief but futile challenge. Manager Aaron Boone’s second lineup shuffle — moving Anthony Rizzo To the leadoff spot – still not happy.
Houston Trade Deadline acquisition Trey Mancini And Christian Vasquez came up with key RBIs in that sixth inning to close out Yankee Stadium. Usually relegated to the bench, came in pairs Astros owner Jim Crane may not retain GM James Klick, reports suggest – He was hired after an identity theft scandal.
But whatever the long-term future is for the Astros, the immediate future includes a chance to sweep the Yankees and go to the World Series. Lance McCullers Jr. will try to do just that on Sunday at 7:07 PM ET. He will face the Yankees’ Nestor Cortez Jr., the hero of ALDS Game 5 against Cleveland.
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