In the end, it goes to the end. The U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) Texas Rangers, who had been pushed to the brink of ‘loss, loss, win, win,’ succeeded in turning around the game by defeating the Houston Astros in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS, 4 wins out of 7). Now the fate of this series will be decided in Game 7.
Texas defeated Houston 9-2 in Game 6 of the 2023 ALCS held at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, USA on the 23rd. As a result, Texas, which lost Games 3 and 5 after winning Games 1 and 2, balanced its series record with Houston at 3 wins and 3 losses. Now, on the 24th, at the same venue, the two teams will play the final game of a series that cannot be backed down for a spot in the World Series.
On this day, the game started in a good mood in Houston. Texas starting pitcher Nathan Evaldi allowed a hit to right to Houston’s leadoff hitter Jose Altuve and a walk to Michael Brantley in the bottom of the first inning, then gave up the first run with a timely hit to Jordan Alvarez on first and second base with one out and runners on first and second base.
However, Texas, pushed to the brink, immediately began a counterattack by tying the game in the top of the second inning. Leadoff hitter Mitch Garber hit a solo home run to tie the game against opposing team’s starting pitcher Framber Valdez, leveling the score at 1-1.
Texas’ slugging show continued. In the 4th inning, with Garber’s infield single, 2 outs and runners on first base, Jonah Haim hit a two-run shot that went just over the right-field wall, successfully turning the score around to 3-1.
Houston’s pursuit was relentless. Texas gave up a sacrifice hit to the opposing team’s Mauricio Dubon on first and third base with one out and one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, allowing them to trail by one point, 3-2.
Houston rained in the 8th inning. Abreu, who had been suspended for two games the previous day for throwing an empty ball, was brought in as the fourth pitcher. The day before, Abreu threw a pitch at Texas Adolis Garcia in the 8th inning, causing the bench to clear, and was banned for two games by the MLB office after the game, citing suspicions of intentionality. Abreu decided to appeal, and played in the game that day under the rule that the punishment is not valid during the appeal period.
Texas scored an extra point against Abreu. It started with an infield hit by leadoff hitter Evan Carter. The next batter was Garcia, who had been hit by an empty ball the previous day. Garcia missed a slider with a large drop and struck out, but Carter, the runner on first base, succeeded in stealing second base and created a scoring position. In the ensuing opportunity with one out and a runner on second base, Mitch Garber hit a timely double to the left, scoring a hefty score.굿모닝토토 도메인
The mood was completely focused on Texas. In the last attack of the top of the 9th inning, Texas had Josh Jeong get on base with a walk and then Leody Taveras hit a ground ball to second base, but Houston Altuve’s throwing error gave Texas the chance to get to first and second base with no outs. Afterwards, Marcus Siemien shook the Texas mound with a single to left, and Corey Seager received a ball that was hit by a push from the changed pitcher Ryne Stanek. With the bases loaded and one out, Garcia exploded with a bases-loaded home run that flew over the left field fence, putting a wedge in the game.
Garcia had been poor with 4 strikeouts in 4 at-bats until his previous at-bat, but had his best day by hitting a thrilling grand slam in his last at-bat in the 9th inning.