Boom! Yordan Alvarez walks off Astros' game-winner in ALDS comeback
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For those who stuck around with the Astros when they were down 4-0 early in ALDS Game 1, we salute you!
Houston's clear season MVP, Yordan Alvarez, sent a booming three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap off a furious comeback against the Seattle Mariners to open the Astros' postseason.
The 'Stros were down 4-0 by the second inning in a rocky outing by Justin Verlander.
Houston broke through in the third with two runs before Seattle countered with two more scores in the fourth.
Houston added one more in that frame to make it 6-3 by the halfway point.
Seattle extended the lead by one more run in the seventh, but could not breakthrough down the stretch against relievers Hunter Brown and Rafael Montero.
That allowed Houston to score two runs in the eighth off an Alex Bregman two-run homer. Then, in the ninth, with two outs, Houston sent Alvarez to the plate to make Astros postseason history.
Houston goes up 1-0 in the best-of-five division series.
There were some historical notes from the game winner.
The Alvarez homer was the second ever walk-off round-tripper in postseason history by a team down to its final out. The first was the memorable 1988 walk-off by Kirk Gibson during that year's World Series.
The Astros also notched their seventh walk-off homer in postseason history.
And Houston snapped an 48-game losing streak in their postseason history when trailing by multiple runs after eight innings.
Game 2
Game 2 of the ALDS is set for 2:37 p.m. on Thursday.
Like game one, all fans will again get a rally towel and the Street Fest will open at 11:30 a.m.
The roof will be closed.
This time, the national anthem will be sung by Kaylise Irizarry and the colors will be presented by the Houston Police Color Guard.
Class of 2022 inductee into the Astros Hall of Fame, Terry Puhl, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
And when it comes to the "Play Ball" call, the Astros have tapped the Geto Boys - Scarface and Willie D.
Street Fest
This starts three hours before Games 1 and 2. You'll need to have your game ticket to attend the festival, which will feature live music, food trucks, inflatables, games and more.
Fans are also encouraged to wear orange.
All fans will also receive a rally towel.
Oct. 14
You didn't think the festivities were done, did you?
On Friday, you can head to the Shipley Do-Nuts on at 2723 Yale for a Stro-Nut Giveaway from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. Of course, Orbit -- the Astros mascot -- and the Shooting Stars will be there. Plus, there'll be prizes.
All fans will get one free "Stro-Nut."
Oct. 15 and Oct. 16
Expect the party to roll on through the weekend. We don't know what time yet games three and four will start, but we do know they'll be in Seattle.
Unless you're traveling for the game, you can join other fans for a watch party at Karbach Brewing Co. at 2032 Karbach St. on Saturday, and on Sunday, the party moves to Pitch 25 Beer Park at 2120 Walker St.
Both parties will begin one hour before first pitch and last for the duration of the game.
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