History was made in Game Six of the American League Championship Series. With the Houston Astros<\/a> 7-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays<\/a>, they became the second team in MLB history to force a Game Seven when down 3-0<\/a> in the series. The first team was the 2004 Boston Red Sox<\/a>, who won the series and eventually the World Series. A four-run fifth inning led the Astros past the Rays and to this bit of history.<\/p>\n For just the second time in this series, the Rays got the first run on the board. This run came from an RBI double off the bat of Willy Adames<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> Both teams were otherwise kept off the board until the fifth inning, where the Astros would explode. Back to back baserunners reached off Blake Snell<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> which chased him from the game and brought in Diego Castillo<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> The first batter he faced was Martin Maldonado<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> who dropped down a successful sacrifice bunt. George Springer<\/strong><\/a> followed the bunt with a two-run single. Following the single, Jose Altuve<\/strong><\/a> smacked a ringing double to score Springer. After a Michael Brantley<\/strong><\/a> walk, Carlos Correa<\/strong><\/a> followed with another run-scoring single to bring the score to 4-1.<\/p>\n Houston was not done scoring in the game, however. In the sixth inning, Kyle Tucker<\/strong><\/a> hit a solo home run, his first of the postseason. The first home run of the game brought the score to 5-1. The Astros scored two more runs in the seventh, one on a Brantley single and one on a Tucker sac fly.<\/p>\n The Rays did attempt a valiant comeback, thanks to the efforts of Manuel Margot<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> Margot hit a solo home run in the seventh to inch one run closer. The very next inning, Margot hit his second home run of the game, a two-run shot that pushed the score to 7-4. Tampa got a runner on in the ninth, but it was wiped away on a game-ending double play.<\/p>\n Houston starter, Framber Valdez<\/strong><\/a> pitched another great start. The 26-year-old went six innings, giving up just a single run and striking out nine Rays hitters. After Friday’s start, he has completed 24 innings this postseason and given up just five runs. Even after a heated exchange with Yandy Diaz<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Valdez was able to stay focused and force a double play which ended the sixth inning, and his great start.<\/p>\n This is a situation the Rays did not think they would have to face, but here it is. Charlie Morton<\/strong><\/a> (1-0 1.80) will be the starter for Tampa. He went five scoreless innings in Game Two. For the Astros, the man will be Lance McCullers Jr.<\/strong><\/a> (0-0 9.00) McCullers went seven innings in Game Two, and gave up four runs, although only one was earned. This game could be all hands on deck though, with Jose Urquidy<\/strong><\/a> likely available for the Astros, and Tyler Glasnow<\/strong><\/a> and Ryan Yarbrough<\/strong><\/a> possibly available for the Rays.<\/p>\n Main ImageRays Take Early Lead Over Astros<\/h3>\n
Valdez Continues His Incredible Postseason<\/h3>\n
On To Game Seven<\/h3>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>