RAYS TO WORLD SERIES
LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Randy Arozarena clubbed a two-run homer in the first inning and Charlie Morton worked 5 2/3 solid innings as the Tampa Bay Rays advanced to their second World Series in club history yesterday with a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros.
Mike Zunino also slugged an early home run as the Rays recovered from the shock of being in a winner-take-all showdown after cruising to victories in the first three games of the American League Championship Series at Petco Park in San Diego.
Saturday’s game seven win allowed the Rays to salvage their season and prevent the Astros from becoming just the second team in Major League Baseball history to storm back from a 3-0 deficit.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers used another first-inning scoring burst to stay alive in the Major League Baseball playoffs, beating Atlanta 3-1 Saturday to force a decisive Game 7 in the National League Championship Series. The Dodgers are one win from advancing to their third World Series appearance in four years after pulling level at 3-3 in the best-of-seven series.
Game 7 is in the neutral site of Arlington, Texas with a limited number of spectators allowed to attend because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The winner of the series will advance to play in the World Series against either the Tampa Bay Rays or the Houston Astros, set to play later Saturday in game seven of the American League Championship Series.
“Our team is very comfortable,’’ said Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler. “I expect the same feeling tomorrow.”