The Houston Astros square off in the ALCS against the Texas Rangers on Thursday in Arlington. Jose Urgudi started on the mound for the Astros, and Rangers starter Andrew Heaney … well, he didn’t get out of the first inning, as the Astros scored three runs and Bruce Bochy responded with a quick hook.
The Rangers didn’t have to wait long to answer as Atolys Garcia led off the bottom of the second inning with a solo homer, then Mitch Carver scored on a sac fly after a walk. After two innings it was 3-2 Astros.
In the third half for the Rangers, Corey Seager hit a solo homer that tied the game. Two successive singles were what Rangers were looking for – and Urqudi’s day was over early.
The Astros continued to pile on the scoring with four runs in the top of the fourth, capped by Jose Abreu’s home run to make it 7-3.
The Rangers had a chance to answer in the top of the fifth with two on and no out. And then this happened:
The Astros added three more before it was over, and the series was tied.
Earlier Thursday, it was a battle of low-scoring pitchers at Chase Field in Phoenix. Ranger Suarez took the mound for the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS and allowed just four baserunners in 5 1/3 innings. On the other hand, Brandon Piffatt went 5 2/3 innings, giving up just two hits and recording nine strikeouts. The game remained scoreless until six.
Finally, in the seventh, the Phillies broke through and opened the scoring when Bryce Harper walked, worked around the bases and scored on a wild pitch. Not a typical move for the Phillies’ offense, but whatever.
The Diamondbacks matched them in the bottom of the inning with a Tommy Baum single and a Lourdes Curiel Jr. double that scored a run of their own. Tie the game again.
It was even until the ninth. With Craig Kimbrel on the mound for the Phillies, Kuriel drew a leadoff walk but was eventually tagged out at home. However, the T-backs loaded the bases before Ketel Marte hit a single to get a walk-off hit for Arizona and make it 2-1 in the NLCS.
Yahoo Sports has the latest news, scores and updates from Thursday’s NLCS Game 3 and ALCS Game 4.