The Houston Astros came into Wednesday’s game down 0-3 in the ALCS against the Tampa Bay Rays. On Tuesday, Jose Urquidy dealt five innings against the hot Rays offense but was not helped by the bullpen after departing. Conversely, Tampa Bay’s Ryan Yarborough pitched a mediocre five innings and his bullpen was able to hold the lead. With elimination imminent, the Astros were counting on veteran star Zack Greinke to continue their postseason. The Rays’ Tyler Glasnow was sent out to duel the veteran.
How it played out
Grienke sat the Rays down in order to start the game, including a pair of strikeouts. On the other side, Glasnow got into a little bit of trouble and ultimately allowed the red-hot Jose Altuve to hit a solo home run. It would be Altuve’s third homer of the postseason. The next couple of innings were uneventful, aside from Glasnow throwing his usual heat and nasty pitches. In the bottom of the third inning, however, he walked Martin Maldonado and Michael Brantley before giving up an RBI double to Altuve, making the score 2-0.
Tampa Bay answered back in the top of the fourth with a single from Austin Meadows, followed by a home run from (you guessed it) Randy Arozarena. The game again went quiet until the bottom of the fifth inning. Maldonado singled and George Springer hit a towering home run, making the score 4-2 Astros. The Rays made some noise in the top half of the sixth inning, knocking three singles. Ultimately, none came in to score. The game was silent until the top of the ninth inning when Rays shortstop Willy Adames doubled in Joey Wendle, closing the gap to one run. Houston was able to hold on and win their first game of the series, 4-3.
Pitching Statistics
Veteran starter Grienke pitched a respectable six innings for the Astros, allowing only five hits and two runs. He walked one batter while striking out seven. Rookie fireballer Cristian Javier dealt two innings of relief, allowing only one hit. He struck out three and walked only one while throwing some nasty fastballs and changeups. Ryan Pressly closed out the game allowing only one run (charged to Javier) and striking out one in his single inning of work, which resulted in a save.
Rays starter Glasnow dealt six innings, allowing eight hits and four runs while walking two and striking out seven. Power lefty Jose Alvarado made his return to action, throwing one inning, allowing a hit, and striking out one. Aaron Slegers also threw one inning, retiring the side with a flyout and a double play sandwiched around a walk.
The Hitters
The Tampa Bay lineup was fairly reserved, only accumulating seven total hits. Meadows went 2-4, and fellow outfielder Arozarena went 1-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Adames finished 1-3 with a walk and an RBI.
The Astros’ offense was mostly led by the stars, Altuve and Springer. Altuve went 2-4 with a homer and a double, accounting for two RBIs. Springer went 3-4 with a home run and he also had two RBIs. Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, and Maldonado each had a single and that was it for the Astros offense, but was enough to notch a win.
Thursday’s Game 5
The Rays will again be trying to eliminate the Astros and clinch the World Series on Thursday night. With a 3-1 series lead, Houston will look to expand on their offensive success from Wednesday, while Tampa Bay will look to overpower that. Astros manager Dusty Baker mentioned that he is treating each game as a World Series game seven. Kevin Cash will also look to get clever with his stacked bullpen and stable of capable starters. Each team has opted to use an opener and a committee for Game 5.
Date: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, 5:07 p.m. EST
TV: TBS
Stadium: Petco Park
Location: San Diego, CA
Rays Pitcher: John Curtiss (0-0, 10.38 ERA)
Astros Pitcher: Luis Garcia (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
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