Carlos Correa Walk-off Home Run Ties the ALCS at One

Cover Image
Photo credit USA TODAY
HOUSTON (SPORTSRADIO 610) – Minutes before midnight, with the Astros and Yankees tied at two in the bottom of the 11th, in a series the Astros trailed 1-0, Carlos Correa sent the first pitch that J.A. Happ delivered in the inning over the wall in right to give the Astros a 3-2 win to even the ALCS at a game apiece.    

11th inning. 1st pitch. No. 1. Series tied 1-1. --(MLB x @Supercuts) pic.twitter.com/Y9DNumrQyA

— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2019

Correa’s heroics will rightfully garner a lot of the attention, but the stage would have never been set if it wasn’t for the Astros bullpen.  Will Harris, Roberto Osuna, Joe Smith, Ryan Pressly and Josh James combined for 4.1 innings of scoreless relief behind Justin Verlander to give the Astros a chance to win it in extra innings. 

The first run of the night came in the bottom of the second inning when Alex Bregman led off with a single that hit one-foot shy of landing in the Crawford Boxes in left.  Yordan Alvarez followed with a walk to put runners at first and second.  After a Yuli Gurriel flyout to right moved Bregman to third, Correa doubled down the left field line to give the Astros their first run of the ALCS.  James Paxton limited the damage with back-to-back strikeouts of Robinson Chirinos and Jake Marisnick. 

#Astros postseason RBI leader! pic.twitter.com/HjcXsaf4FP

— Houston Astros (@astros) October 14, 2019

The Yankees countered in the fourth inning when DJ LeMahieu drew a leadoff walk after falling behind in the count 0-2, LeMahieu would represent the first base runner issued by Verlander.  The following hitter, Aaron Judge, would drill a pitch over the center field wall to give New York their first hit, and their first lead of Game 2.

#AllRise!The @Yankees take the lead. #ALCS pic.twitter.com/CTFo6ExoXN

— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2019

George Springer’s club record 12th postseason home run tied the game in the fifth.  Springer hit the homer off of Adam Ottavino, who was the first hitter Ottavino faced.  The Astros threatened later in the inning when Michael Brantley reached on a wild pitch strikeout and then Jose Altuve hit an infield single, but Bregman would strike out looking and then Alvarez would strike out against Tommy Kahnle, who entered the game to face him. 

Postseason #SpringerDinger No. 12 gives George the most in @astros history. pic.twitter.com/dtahffBrkt

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 14, 2019

Verlander would earn a no decision as he pitched 6.2 innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven.  Josh James picked up the win after striking out Gary Sanchez, the only hitter he faced, in the top of the 11th. 

6.2 IP of 2-run ball for @JustinVerlander tonight. #ALCS pic.twitter.com/bM7z93daYQ

— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2019

Game 3 of the ALCS is at 3:08 p.m., Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.  Gerrit Cole will start for the Astros and the Yankees will toss Luis Severino.