ALDS COVERAGE
Chris Sale hammered in postseason debut,
Jose Altuve hit three home runs in an unprecedented show of power for the diminutive batting champion as the Astros roughed up Chris Sale and the visiting Red Sox 8- 2 on Thursday in Game 1 of the American League Division Series.
Altuve hit solo homers in the first and fifth innings off Sale. He connected again in the seventh off reliever Austin Maddox.
It was just the 10th time a player hit three homers in a postseason game and the first since Pablo Sandoval for the Giants in the 2012 World Series opener against the Tigers. Babe Ruth did it twice.
“I hit one, and I was like: ‘ Wow,’ ” he said. “And the second one is like: ‘ Wow, what’s going on here?’ ” And his thoughts after the third? “I got to wake up,” he said, flashing a huge grin.
Altuve became the first Astros player to hit three homers in one game since 2007, when Carlos Lee did it in the regular season.
Justin Verlander pitched six effective innings and improved to 6- 0 since the Astros acquired him in a late trade with the Tigers. Sale, the major- league strikeout leader, was tagged for seven runs in five- plus innings of his postseason debut.
Red Sox designated hitter Eduardo Nunez hurt his knee in the first inning and left the game. The Red Sox removed him from the playoff roster and replaced him with Chris Young.
Indians roll past Bosox in opener
Starter Trevor Bauer was fantastic and Jay Bruce drove in three runs as the Indians began chasing their first World Series title in 69 years with a 4- 0 win over the visiting Yankees in Game 1 of their ALDS.
Bauer struck out Aaron Judge three times, twice getting the MVP candidate looking. He allowed just two hits in 6⅔ innings before manager Terry Francona turned to baseball’s best bullpen, using Andrew Miller and closer Cody Allen to finish the three- hitter.
Watching the watch
Diamondbacks coach Ariel Prieto said it was a mistake for him to wear an Apple Watch in the dugout during the National League wildcard game against the Rockies on Wednesday in Phoenix. Prieto told reporters on Thursday that he didn’t use the watch for any illicit purpose and that it was on “airplane mode” during the game. Last month, the Red Sox were fined by Major League Baseball for using an Apple Watch to relay signs to hitters.
D- backs name Game 1 starter
The Diamondbacks announced that right- hander Taijuan Walker ( 9- 9, 3.49 ERA) will start Game 1 against the Dodgers. Presumptive starter Robbie Ray threw 2„ innings Wednesday.
AP