Astros have a blast in ALDS opener
HOUSTON • It’s October and George Springer, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are all hitting home runs once again, helping the Houston Astros to a post-season win.
A year after launching a World Series-record 15 homers in winning their first championship, the Astros picked up right where they left off, hitting four home runs to power past the Cleveland Indians 7-2 Friday in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.
Martin Maldonado also connected for the Astros, who didn’t waste any time displaying the same power that carried them to last year’s title.
Much was made about the pitching prowess these teams possess in the days leading up to this game. But it was a bunch of longballs to put the Astros ahead in this best-of-five series.
“As much as I’ve heard different opinions about our offence, it’s pretty long, it’s pretty good, it’s pretty potent,” manager AJ Hinch said. “Case in point today.”
Houston’s pop backed up a solid start by Justin Verlander, who bested Corey Kluber in a matchup of Cy Young Award-winning aces in the first post-season meeting between these teams.
Verlander took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and got his 12th playoff win. He allowed two hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings — the Indians finished with only three hits, all singles.
Game 2 is Saturday in Houston. Gerrit Cole starts for the Astros against Carlos Carrasco.
At Milwaukee, Jhoulys Chacin and the Brewers bullpen kept in control and Mike Moustakas contributed two more big hits in beating the Colorado Rockies 4-0 on Friday for a commanding 2-0 lead in their NL Division Series.
The Brewers won their 10th straight game going back to their impressive finish to the regular season. Erik Kratz had two hits and drove in two runs, Hernan Perez hit two ground-rule doubles and Milwaukee’s bullpen closed the door after Chacin delivered in his playoff debut.
Game 3 is Sunday at Coors Field. Another win and Milwaukee is into the NL Championship Series for the first time since its previous post-season appearance in 2011.