The Houston Astros have also won game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians and have thus managed a sweep. After leading twice, it was Cy-Young candidate Trevor Bauer from the Bullpen who failed all along the line.
The Indians took the lead twice in game 3, but were in their own way in several situations. In the third inning, they took a 1-0 lead, but made it unnecessarily easy for the guests: With no out and runners on 1 and 2, Shortstop Francisco Lindor gave away an out with a Sacrifice Bunt. Afterwards Michael Brantley managed a Sacrifice Fly to the lead, but more than one run was not possible for the hosts.
In the fifth inning, Houston counterbalanced with a solo Homerun by George Springer. But in the same inning Cleveland took the lead again – Solo-Shot by Lindor. For Cleveland then the trained starter Trevor Bauer took over. After a good first inning, however, he got into serious problems in the seventh.
After two singles, Jose Altuve provided the 2:2 balance with a RBI Fielder’s Choice. Then Bauer fell apart. After Bauer had already sent Tony Kemp from first to third base because he had fired a pick-off attempt past first base, the pitcher made an error on a ground ball from Alex Bregman to him. Bauer threw the ball past second base and missed the chance for a double play to finish the inning.
Then Bauer loaded the bases with a walk and gave a 2-run double to Marwin Gonzalez. At the score of 2:4 from Indians point of view was the end for Bauer. It was taken over by Andrew Miller, who after a fly out by Josh Reddick distributed a walk to Carlos Correa – Bases loaded! It was taken over by Cody Allen, who finished the inning.
In the eighth inning Springer added a home run. He now has ten in the postseason – a new franchise record for the Astros. But last year’s champions didn’t stop there and did five more runs in the eighth inning – including a 3-Run-Homerun by Carlos Correa – and one in the ninth.
The Astros thus completed the sweep and are in series for the second time in the ALCS. In total it is her sixth appearance in a League Championship Series, the first four however were still in the National League.
This article was published without prior review by Major League Baseball.