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After 159 long games, the Astros have finally succeeded! With a 3-2 victory over the Rays on Thursday night, they won the AL West Division for the fourth time in the past five years and have advanced to the playoffs for the fifth time in a row. Carlos Correa and Lance McCullers Jr. played huge roles in front of their fans at Minute Maid Park to win a thrilling one in a playoff atmosphere.
Starting with McCullers Jr., the man had a clear mission. The Astros needed him to secure their playoff ticket in Game 159 of the regular campaign and he delivered. Lance kicked off his fifth straight quality start in September, this time with six solid three-hit innings, two earned runs, one walks, four strikeouts and a two-run homer from Brandon Lowe in the sixth.
McCullers Jr. went through his first five innings, taking out the first nine batters he faced on the night and reaching the sixth without allowing a hit.
“It means a lot. Winning the division is not easy,” McCullers Jr. said after the game. “We’ve been fortunate to have great teams in the last few years, we’ve got a great core. It’s nice. get two wins against a team you’d expect in the playoffs.
On October 2, the future 28-year-old was backed offensively by Carlos Correa, who sent one into the court for a massive three-point home run to smash the scoreboard in Ryan Yarbrough’s final quarter. It was Correa’s 25th long ball of the campaign, which is now a career high for him.
With McCullers Jr. out of the game, the final third was just electric. Ryne Stanek allowed a hit but struck out the seventh for his 20th catch of the year. Then in the eighth, Kendall Graveman started the frame by hitting Mike Zunino with his first pitch of the game. But then, with one strikeout and Kevin Kiermaier in the lead, Graveman struck Lowe out and Kiermaier was caught stealing by Martín Maldonado to end the round with a magnificent double play.
The ninth round arrived and it was not easy at all. But Ryan Pressly and Yuli Gurriel went out to seal the victory. Pressly walked Randy Arozarena to start the ninth and José Altuve erred on a Wander Franco goal, which left two men on base and no outs.
With dangerous and powerful Nelson Cruz at the plate, Gurriel neatly lined up a hard-hit Grounder to make a quick double play. The film’s final scene was with Arozarena standing at third base and Yandy Díaz striking for Brett Phillips. Seven throws later, Alex Bregman grabbed a ball on the ground and shot at first base, Gurriel recovering the pitch to complete the out and blow everyone up at Minute Maid Park.
With the Astros having a playoff berth in their hands, they’ll have to wait and see who they go up against in the first playoff series. For now, the ‘Stros must focus on their last regular-season streak, a three-game game against the Oakland A’s Friday through Sunday. According to MLB.com, Houston did not pick its pitcher for Friday’s game (7:10 p.m. CT).
VIDEOS AND BOX SCORE HERE.
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