Astros 4, Twins 1
Pitching reigned supreme for the majority of Game One between the Houston Astros and the Minnesota Twins. The game was decided when the Astros broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth with a bases-loaded walk from Astros second baseman Jose Altuve. The walk came after a two-out error by shortstop Jorge Polanco. Astros left fielder Michael Brantley, up next, added two insurance runs on a single. Framber Valdez pitched around two hits to finish the game off and take Game One against the Twins.
Both Teams Squandered Early Opportunities
The Twins put pressure on Astros pitcher Zack Greinke right off the bat. After getting leadoff batter Luis Arraez to ground out, the next three batters reached on a single and two walks. The veteran escaped the situation by getting Eddie Rosario to line out to first and Miguel Sano to ground out to Alex Bregman, who made a spectacular bare-handed play. The Astros had a bases-loaded opportunity in the fourth with two out, but Josh Reddick struck out swinging.
Both teams managed to push one run across before the ninth. Minnesota scored in the third when Nelson Cruz hit an RBI double, scoring Max Kepler from first. Houston scored in the seventh when Reddick, Martin Maldonado, and George Springer all hit two out singles, Springer’s scoring the run.
Twins Implode In Ninth
The Astros began the ninth inning with back-to-back singles from Yuli Gurriel and Carlos Correa. Twins reliever Sergio Romo then got Reddick and Maldonado to foul out to third and fly out to left. That is when Springer hit a ground ball to Polanco, who threw to second, but it took Arraez off the base, loading the bases. After the error, Altuve drew a walk on a close pitch, scoring the go-ahead run and chasing Romo out of the game. The Twins brought in Caleb Thielbar, who gave up a two-run single to Brantley. Thielbar got Bregman to ground out to end the threat, but the damage was already done.
Valdez Pitches Lights Out
Greinke was pulled after only four innings on 79 pitches, giving up one run in those innings. The left-handed Valdez came in and was excellent. After walking the first two batters he faced, Valdez was lights out. In fact, nobody reached against him until the ninth, where he gave up two hits. After the two singles, Valdez got pinch-hitter Willians Astudillo to ground into a double play to end it.
After a highly competitive game, the Astros have taken a 1-0 series lead over the Twins. Wednesday’s pitching matchup will feature Jose Berrios for the Twins. The Astros have not yet announced a starter, but with Valdez pitching in Game One, Lance McCullers Jr, Cristian Javier, and Jose Urquidy are options.
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