HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Astros will need to win two of their next three games in the coming days after Minnesota’s starting pitcher, Pablo Lopez, held them scoreless for seven innings on Sunday night in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.
With Minute Maid Park’s roof open and underneath the Texas night sky, Houston starting pitcher Framber Valdez came undone, allowing seven hits and five earned runs, including three driven in by former ‘Stro, Carlos Correa, in the Astros’ 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
Houston’s defeat allowed Minnesota to tie up the ALDS at a victory a piece in the best-of-five-game series, which heads to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4. Game 5 would return to Minute Maid Park, if needed.
Correa, who was booed during his at-bats, made Houston fans pay, beginning in the first inning when he hit a double to deep left centerfield to drive in the first run of the game.
After the Twins added two more runs thanks to a Kyle Farmer home run in the second inning, Correa extended the lead, 5-0, in the fifth inning when he hit a single to score two more runs.
The Astros’ bats were held in checked due to a solid outing by Lopez, who pitched across seven innings, allowed five hits, and kept Houston from going no farther than second base.
Yordan Alvarez continued to be Houston’s bright spot offensively. After Lopez left the game, Alvarez drove a home run to left center to put two runs on the board for the ‘Stros in the eighth inning, but it wasn’t enough to rally the home team.
The AL West champs now become the away team for games on Tuesday and Wednesday, which may work to the team’s benefit. Houston won 22 more games on the road than at home this past season.
Game 3 will pit Cristian Javier against Minnesota’s Sonny Gray.
2023 ALDS schedule and results, series tied 1-1
- Game 1: Astros 6, Twins 4
- Game 2: Twins 6, Astros 2
- Game 3: Houston at Minnesota, Tuesday, 3 p.m.
- Game 4: Houston at Minnesota, Wednesday, 1:07 p.m.
- Game 5: Minnesota at Houston, Friday, 3:07 p.m.*+
All times Central Time.
