George Springer deepens his history at Dodger Stadium in ALDS Game 2 win
The Houston Astros put themselves in position to clinch their fourth consecutive AL Championship Series berth by beating the Oakland Athletics in Game 2 of the AL Division Series on Tuesday.
ALDS GAME 2: Astros 5, Athletics 2
Just like Game 1, Oakland struck first in Game 2. Khris Davis launched a solo home run off Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez to put the first run on the board in the 2nd inning. A's lead, 1-0.
In the very next inning, though, Houston got the lead thanks to George Springer's two-run homer. Astros up, 2-1.
Carlos Correa, who became the first shortstop in MLB history to hit multiple homers in at least two games in the same postseason, hit an RBI in the 4th inning to extend Houston's lead, 3-1.
In Oakland's half of the 4th, Valdez allowed another solo homer, this time to Chad Pinder. The Astros' lead was cut to 3-2. Pinder's blast was an eye-popping 453 feet, with the ball landing in the promenade behind the seats in right center.
Then, in the 5th inning, Houston answered with solo bombs by Martin Maldonado and Springer again. Houston extended the lead, 5-2.
Valdez delivered for the Astros, giving up five hits and two earned runs on 103 pitches across seven innings pitched.
Astros relievers Enoli Paredes and Ryan Pressly each pitched an inning each to help Houston shut the door. Pressly was credited with the save.
Astros have a 2-0 series lead, with the chance to sweep in Game 3 on Wednesday.
After Game 2, Springer's career postseason home run count shot up to 17. He was named the 2017 World Series MVP at this same ballpark, Dodger Stadium.
ALDS BACKGROUND AND SCHEDULE
Due to the pandemic, this series is being played at one site: Los Angeles' Dodger Stadium. And given the circumstances, each game of the series is being played in consecutive days with no breaks that would typically be used for travel.
ASTROS VS. ATHLETICS: ALDS IN LOS ANGELES:
- Game 1: Astros 10, Athletics 5
- Game 2: Astros 5, Athletics 2
- Game 3: Wednesday, 2:35 p.m.
- Game 4: Thursday, 2:35 p.m. (if necessary)
- Game 5: Friday, 2:35 p.m. (if necessary)
In the regular season, Oakland claimed victory in seven of the 10 games played against Houston.
The winner of this series moves on to the AL Championship Series to face the winner of the Yankees-Rays series at San Diego's Petco Park. The ALCS is scheduled to begin on Sunday, Oct. 11.
ASTROS IN THE 2020 POSTSEASON
