ALCS Game 2: Astros lose to Rangers despite big HRs after Monday's 5-4 loss
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Houston Astros have found themselves on the losing end after Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Monday
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Jonah Heim homered, Nathan Eovaldi pitched six effective innings and the Texas Rangers beat Framber Valdez and Houston Astros 5-4 on Monday for a 2-0 lead in the ALCS.
Adolis García, Mitch Garver and Nathaniel Lowe each hit an RBI single during Texas' four-run first inning against Valdez, and José Leclerc closed it out for the Rangers after Yordan Alvarez powered an Astros rally.
Eovaldi struck out nine, including two in a row after Houston loaded the bases with none out in the fifth. He was charged with three runs and five hits in his third win this postseason.
The Rangers improved to 7-0 in the playoffs, including six wins on the road. They swept the Rays in the Wild Card Series and the Orioles in the Division Series, and then posted a 2-0 win at Houston in the ALCS opener.
Alvarez hit two solo home runs to become the sixth player in MLB history to have two multihomer games in one postseason. The second one was off Aroldis Chapman, trimming Houston's deficit to 5-4 with two out in the eighth.
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night in Arlington.
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Sunday's Game 1 did not turn out like Astros fans wanted, but this is a seven-game series.
The matchup started at 3:30 p.m., and ABC13 reporter Jeff Ehling was live inside Minute Maid Park with all the fan details for the game.
Game 2 saw the Astros Street Festival for game day ticket holders. That opened at 12:30 p.m. with food, games, and plenty of things to do on Crawford Street. So, if you have a Game 2 ticket, come to the street party!
When you get inside the stadium, be sure to grab a fresh rally towel, and don't be afraid to swing it like crazy throughout the game.
Some of you were a little lax on the rally towel for Sunday night's game, and we saw how that turned out.
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ABC13 asked Astros fans what they think about the fact that this is an All-Texas ALCS game, and there is no doubt that the rivalry between Houston and Dallas is burning bright.
"I think it's great for Texas," Ben Guttenberger said. "I think it's great for the rivalry, great for the fans, but we have to root for our home team. Go Astros!"
"I don't really like Dallas at all. I'm not a Dallas fan. I hate the Cowgirls. I hate the Rangers. But I am happy that we are going to keep it in Texas," Yousef Motan said.
"I love it. It's like a Texas showdown. It's like the cowboys fighting in the wild west, countdown backwards, and pull their guns out," Moises Cisneros said.
"I love Texas. Texas is awesome, so that's a cool thing - all Texas teams," Janay Palarca said.
There is no doubt the all-Texas aspect is good for the state.
For more on this story, follow Jeff Ehling on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
2023 ALCS schedule, Astros vs. Rangers, best of seven games
- Game 1: Astros 0, Rangers 2.
- Game 2: Astros 4, Rangers 5
- Game 3: Astros at Rangers, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 7:03 p.m.
- Game 4: Astros at Rangers, Thursday, Oct. 19, 7:03 p.m.
- Game 5: Astros at Rangers, Friday, Oct. 20, 4:07 p.m.*
- Game 6: Rangers at Astros, Sunday, Oct. 22, 7:03 p.m.*
- Game 7: Rangers at Astros, Monday, Oct. 23, 7:03 p.m.*
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
