Sign of life: Altuve, Springer, Greinke help Astros stay alive
George Springer broke a tie with a two-run homer, José Altuve homered and hit an RBI double, and Zack Greinke escaped a bases-loaded jam for the Astros, who beat the Rays 4-3 on Wednesday night in San Diego to stay alive in the AL Championship Series. With Altuve atoning for his poor defense this series, the Astros finally got their offense going after being pushed to the brink of a sweep. Seeking their third pennant in four seasons, they trail 3-1 going into Game 5 on Thursday afternoon. The Rays remain one win from going to the World Series for the second time in franchise history. Greinke, bothered by a sore arm in the Division Series against the A’s, made only one big mistake when he allowed a two-run homer to rookie slugger Randy Arozarena that tied the game at 2 in the fourth. Given a 4-2 lead by Springer, above, in the fifth, Greinke’s biggest pitch came when he struck out Mike Brosseau on a 3-2 changeup to end the sixth with the bases loaded. After Greinke allowed consecutive singles by Manuel Margot and Austin Meadows with one out, manager Dusty Baker came out for a chat and decided to let the veteran right-hander continue. Arozarena struck out and Ji-Man Choi singled to load the bases before Greinke fanned Brosseau.