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48 SPORTS AWEMainta Diaranson, 18 October 2023
Texas Rangers Seize 2-0 ALCS Lead After
Nail-Biting Victory Over Houston Astros
THE Texas Rangers continued their impressive postseason important play unfolded when Chas McCormick hit a ground
performance with a tense 5-4 victory in Game 2 at Minute ball to third baseman Josh Jung, who had earlier made an
Maid Park, pushing the Houston Astros into a challenging error. The ball ricocheted off Jung’s glove, hung momentarily
playoff position they seldom encounter. in the air, but Jung recovered to make the crucial forceout,
ending the inning.
In this October filled with high-stakes moments, the Rangers Leclerc returned for the ninth inning, showcasing resilience
have consistently prevailed in these pivotal situations. This by retiring the Astros and securing the victory.
trend continued in Game 2 of the ALCS, placing the Astros in
an unusual postseason predicament. The Texas Rangers have embarked on a historic journey,
Texas’s early onslaught against Houston starter Framber winning seven consecutive games in this postseason,
Valdez yielded four runs in the first inning, forcing Valdez’s including six on the road. They are now in territory only the
exit after just 2 innings. Although Houston attempted a 2014 Royals and 2005 White Sox have reached. Moreover,
comeback, Texas maintained a 5-1 lead. they’ve placed the Astros in an unusual 0-2 series hole.
Although the Astros, with their history of success, are unlikely
The Astros appeared poised for a turnaround in the fifth to panic, the Texas Rangers have demonstrated remarkable
inning, loading the bases with no outs, putting enormous resilience and poise throughout this postseason.
pressure on Texas pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi, however,
executed a remarkable escape act, striking out two Astros Game 3 is scheduled at Globe Life Field, with the Rangers set
hitters and forcing a groundout to extinguish the threat. to start ace Max Scherzer, marking his postseason debut,
while the Astros will send Cristian Javier to the mound.
The game took another intense turn in the bottom of the
eighth, as Houston’s Yordan Alvarez launched his second In the face of unpredictable October moments, the Astros
homer of the night, narrowing the Rangers’ lead to just one remain determined and focused, not allowing the pressure
run. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy made a pivotal decision, to affect their mindset.
inserting closer Jose Leclerc for a four-out save attempt. The outcome of this playoffs series continues to be uncer-
tain, emphasizing the unpredictability and excitement of
Leclerc faced adversity, walking two Astros hitters. But an postseason baseball.
