Astros 11, Athletics 6
The Houston Astros eliminated the Oakland Athletics from the postseason with an 11-6 victory on Thursday. Carlos Correa drove in five and Michael Brantley homered twice in the American League Division Series clinching Game Four.
Historic Offense Continued
For the fourth consecutive day, the A’s started the scoring. With two runners on, Ramon Laureano took a hanger by Zack Greinke and deposited it into the seats. This blast put the A’s up 3-0 in the second inning, but as was the story in the whole series, Houston would have an answer for them. Brantley hit a two-run shot in the fourth, and Correa hit a three run shot later in the same inning. A five-run fourth gave the Astros a 5-3 lead over the Athletics, a lead they would not relinquish.
Laureano would bring them closer however, with his second home run of the day in the fifth. This homer brought the A’s to within one run, 5-4. Brantley would answer Laureano’s two-homer day with a second home run of his own in the bottom of the fifth. Correa would add a second run in the fifth with an RBI single, putting Houston up 7-4. The Astros would add two more runs in the sixth on RBI singles from Kyle Tucker and Correa. For Correa, it was his fifth RBI of the day. The latest RBI extended the lead to 9-4. Finally, the Astros added their last bit of insurance on a two run home run by Jose Altuve, putting them up 11-4.
The A’s were not going to do down without a fight though. They staged a mini rally in the ninth against Ryan Pressly. Two runs scored on RBI singles by Marcus Semien and Tommy La Stella before Houston closed them out.
Astros Reach Fourth Consecutive ALCS
In a season where they had to deal with a plethora of major injuries, the fallout of the sign stealing scandal, and a multitude of down seasons, few saw Houston making it this far. A lot of people doubted, but for the fourth year in a row, the Astros have reached the American League Championship Series. They will face either the Tampa Bay Rays or the New York Yankees beginning Sunday, October 11.
Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images
