Manuel Margot leads the way for Rays in 4-2 ALCS win

SAN DIEGO — Manuel Margot has good reason to feel comfortable at Petco Park, having played the previous three-plus seasons for the Padres before a February trade to Tampa Bay.

And he certainly looked it Monday afternoon, leading the way as the Rays beat the Astros 4-2 to take a two-games-to-none lead in the American League Championship Series.

Margot hit a three-run homer in the first inning to capitalize on an error by Astros second baseman

Jose Altuve, then the next inning made a spectacular catch, going headfirst over the side wall along the rightfield line.

With a strong five-inning start by Charlie Morton, their usual trusty relief work and some dazzling defense around the field, the Rays moved into commanding position in the best-of-seven series. Game 3 is Tuesday at 8:40 p.m.

The Rays had made two quick outs in the first against Houston starter Lance McCullers, the Tampa native, when Randy Arozarena, naturally, got them started with a single.

After eliminating the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Houston Astros for the AL Championship Series at PetCo Park in San Diego. The ALCS is a best-of-seven series.

Ji-Man Choi hit what seemed to be a routine grounder to Altuve, the All-Star second baseman who was shifted into short rightfield. But Altuve carelessly, and somewhat casually, bounced his throw and first baseman Yuli Gurriel couldn’t make the pickup.

Margot made them pay two pitches later with a homer to center.