Astros beat A’s for 2-0 ALDS lead
LOSANGELES » Back-to-back home runs off back-to-back pitches. TheHouston Astros can’t miss these days.
George Springer hit two homers and Houston kept making more noise in the playoffs, beating the Oakland Athletics 5-2 on Tuesday to takea2-0leadintheir AL Division Series.
Martín Maldonado also went deep for Houston, which needs one win to reach its fourth straight AL Championship Series. Game 3 in the best-of-five series is Wednesday, when Houston is the home teamin theneutral site matchup.
“With every victory, the energy and the confidence grows,” first-year Houston manager Dusty Baker said. “We’re expecting good things to happen.”
Springer put Houston ahead to stay with a tworun, two- out drive in the third on a second straight 90- degree day at Dodger Stadium.
“You don’t know if you’re ever going to get back here, so the times you’re here you might as well try and have fun,” Springer said.
Houston went back-toback in the fifth, extending the lead to 5-2.
Maldonado’s solo shot chased loser Sean Manaea in his first appearance this postseason. Yusmeiro Petit came in, and Springer connected for his second homer of the game. Maldonado yelled and raised his right arm in celebration fromhis seat in the dugout.
“Justacouplebadpitches,” Manaea said. “I knowwe are going to figure this thing out and turn it around.”
Springer’s 17 postseason homers tiedNelson Cruz and JimThome formost through a player’s first 54 career postseason games. Five of Springer’s postseason homershave comeatDodger Stadium, where the Astros beat theDodgers inGame 7 of the 2017 World Series.
“I don’t really pay attention to that stuff,” Springer said. “I’d much rather us win.”
Houston improved to 7-3 in Dodger Stadium since that World Series. Current A’s pitcher Mike Fiers last year told of his old team’s sign-stealing scandal used in 2017, a revelation that rocked baseball.
The scandal led to seasonlong suspensions ofHouston general manager Jeff Luhnowand manager AJHinch, who both were fired. Boston managerAlex Cora andMets manager Carlos Beltrán also lost their jobs as fallout their roleswith the ‘17 Astros, and Houston still draws ire of other players and fans.
“This is a team that believes in one another and sticks together and really tries to enjoy the day,” Springer said.
Houston turned three double plays, including one to end the game. Second baseman José Altuve got the first two going and had a hand in all three.
“What kept us inthegame was our defense,” Baker said. “Jose made some great plays.”
Hot, sunny and dry conditions again created an ideal environment for the long ball. The teams combined for five homers, raising the series total to 11.
Winner Framber Valdéz allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked one. The 26-year- old lefthander, making his first postseason start, retired his final 10 batters.
“His ball is moving all over the place. His breaking ball was good,” A’smanager Bob Melvin said. “Our bats were better early. He got more confidence as the game went along. Last three times out he has pitched with a lot of confidence.”