The Houston Astros and Texas Rangers are heading to Game 7 in the ALCS after the Rangers continued the trend of road victories in the series.
On Sunday, Texas prevailed 9-2 to force the decisive final outing, tying the series at 3-3.
The Astros didn't do enough in any phase of the game to come away with a win. Who bears the most blame?
3. Kyle Tucker and the whole lineup
It's really simple. In a closeout game, the Astros needed a whole lot more than two runs and six total hits. It's no shock that Houston has won the three games in the series in which they scored five runs or more.
Houston left nine runners stranded and went 1-of-8 with runners in scoring position.
In fact, Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Jose Abreu were the only Astros with hits on the night, each accounting for two. Michael Brantley, Alex Bregman, Kyle Tucker, Mauricio Dubon, Jeremy Pena and Martin Maldanado all failed to log a hit. None of the pinch hitters Houston turned two put a ball into play either.
Tucker was good on Friday night going 2-for-3 with a walk. But he's been absent far too often in the series against the Rangers. In three losses, he's gone 0-for-11. He was 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position on Sunday.
2. The Astros bullpen
Despite Framber Valdes giving up three earned runs, including two home runs, in five innings of work, the Astros were in position to pull off some late-inning heroics if the bullpen could hold firm.
Narrator voice: The bullpen did not hold firm.
It was 3-2 in the top of the eight inning when Bryan Abreu took the mound. He had his moment striking out Adolis Garcia but giving up a double to the next batter still added to the Rangers' lead.
In the top of the ninth down just two, Rafael Montero came up next and he loaded the bases without securing an out (with an assist from Jose Altuve's error). Ryne Stanek was called on to get the Astros out of the jam and he hit the first batter he faced to drive in another run.
By the time Garcia hit his game-sealing grand slam, the bullpen meltdown was complete.
We'll talk more about the circumstances of Montero's involvement, but loading the bases as a reliever isn't acceptable under any circumstances. And Stanek still gave up the grand slam when the Astros could least afford it. Their job was to get out of the inning unscathed and they failed.
The Astros needed to find a way to generate more hits, but even if they did, they'd have had a hard time winning any game in which their relievers gave up six runs in the final two innings.
1. Dusty Baker
For better or worse, Dusty Baker takes the blame for the loss. His chosen lineup didn't generate the offense he needed. His pinch hitters didn't make a mark. And his bullpen decisions proved disastrous.
Listen, Baker was in a tough spot. With the luxury of knowing he'd see a Game 7, the manager had to make some difficult calls.
The fact that he turned to Rafael Montero instead of Ryan Pressly was telling. He may need Pressly as fresh as possible in Game 7 with Bryan Abreu facing a potential suspension.
But playing for Game 7 may have been a mistake. After all, Baker has never managed a Game 7 win.
Moreover, putting in Montero, who loaded the bases and set up the grand slam given up by Ryne Stanek, ultimately gave the Rangers a huge pitching boost as well. They didn't need to use Jose Leclerc in the ninth inning. He got to save his arm.
With Abreu facing a potential suspension for Game 7, Baker could have left him in for the eighth. He could have gone with the more reliable Stanek straight away.
Baker managed for Game 7. Now he and the Astros will have to face the consequences.
