Springer at full blast
Astros launching another run with powerful display
HOUSTON — It’s October and George Springer, Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are all hitting home runs again for the Astros.
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 to power past the Indians 7-2 Friday in Game 1 of the AL Division Series.
Martin Maldonado also connected for the Astros.
Much was made about the pitching prowess these teams possess in the days leading up to this game. But it was a bunch of long balls that put the Astros ahead in this best-of-five series.
“As much as I’ve heard different opinions about our offense, it’s pretty long, it’s pretty good, it’s pretty potent,” manager AJ Hinch said. “Case in point today.”
The Astros’ pop backed up a solid start by Justin Verlander, who bested Corey Kluber in a matchup of Cy Young Award-winning aces.
Verlander took a nohitter into the sixth inning and got his 12th playoff win. He allowed two hits and two runs in 51⁄ innings, striking out seven. The Indians finished with only three hits, all singles.
Kluber, a two-time Cy Young winner who was coming off his first 20-win season, was tagged for three home runs in 42⁄ innings. It was a repeat performance from last October’s ALDS, when he made two starts against the Yankees and left with a 12.79 ERA.
The Astros hit 27 homers last postseason — Springer hit five in the World Series George Springer takes an exuberant trip around the bases after his fifth-inning solo home run for the Astros. Astros lead 1-0 G1: Astros 7, Indians 2 G2: Indians (Carrasco) at Astros (Cole) 4:37 p.m. Saturday, TBS G3: Astros (Keuchel) at Indians (Clevinger) 1:30 p.m. Monday, TBS G4: Astros at Indians 4:35 Tuesday, TBS G5: Indians at Astros 4:07 p.m. Thursday, TBS Games 4-5 if necessary and set a record by connecting in four straight games on his way to winning the MVP award.
Bregman, coming off a breakout year, got the Astros’ first hit with his drive to the Crawford boxes in left field to start a two-run fourth inning.
“The only thing I can say about him is without him we wouldn’t be here,” Altuve said.
Altuve connected for his eighth career postseason homer two pitches after Springer’s shot in the fifth.