The ball was once again<\/a> flying out of the park early. The pitching settled in the second half of the game, but the damage was already done. A two-homer game by George Springer<\/a><\/strong> and a stellar start from Framber Valdez<\/a><\/strong> propelled the Houston Astros<\/a> past the Oakland Athletics<\/a> 5-2.<\/p>\n For the second day in a row, Khris Davis<\/a><\/strong> got the scoring started, this time with a solo home run. His second homer in as many days put the A’s out in front 1-0 in the second inning. Once again, the Astros answered. In the top of the third Springer answered with a homer of his own, a two-run shot to center. This shot put the Astros ahead 2-1, a lead they would not relinquish. Houston scored their third run in the fourth on a groundout by Carlos Correa<\/a><\/strong>. The Astros had runners on the corners with one out at that point. They put Kyle Tucker<\/a><\/strong> in motion, who was on first, which kept Correa from grounding into a double play and brought in the third run.<\/p>\n Valdez gave up the second of his two blemishes when Chad Pinder<\/a><\/strong> went deep in the bottom half of the fourth inning. It was an impressive opposite field shot that went 453 feet according to Statcast. The home run brought the A’s to within a run: 3-2. The Astros got some insurance runs when Martin Maldonado<\/strong><\/a> and Springer went back to back in the fifth. Maldonado was the last batter starter Sean Manaea<\/a><\/strong> faced. Oakland brought Yusmeiro Petit<\/a><\/strong> into the ball game, and Springer immediately greeted him with his second blast of the game. The back-to-back homers brought the score to 5-2, where it would remain for the rest of the game.<\/p>\n Outside of two solo home runs, the 26-year old gave Houston everything they wanted. After going into the bullpen in the fifth inning in Game One, the Astros needed some length. Valdez gave them that, going seven innings giving up five hits, two runs, and a single walk.<\/p>\n All eyes will be on Game Three<\/a>, as the A’s look to stave off elimination. Oakland has not yet decided who will start in this ever-important game, but Jesus Luzardo<\/strong><\/a>, Frankie Montas<\/a><\/strong>, and Mike Fiers<\/a><\/strong> are all options. For the Astros, Jose Urquidy<\/strong><\/a> will be trying to carry his team past the Athletics and to the ALCS<\/p>\n Main Photo: Embed from Getty Images<\/a>More Runs Early In Game Two<\/h3>\n
Valdez Was Excellent<\/h3>\n