HOUSTON (AP) — Jonah Heim homered, Nathan Eovaldi pitched six effective innings and the Texas Rangers beat Framber Valdez and the Houston Astros 5-4 on Monday for a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Adolis García, Mitch Garver and Nathaniel Lowe each hit an RBI single during Texas’ four-run first inning against Valdez, and José Leclerc closed it out for the Rangers after Yordan Alvarez powered an Astros rally.
Eovaldi struck out nine, including two in a row after Houston loaded the bases with none out in the fifth. He was charged with three runs and five hits in his third win this postseason.
The Rangers improved to 7-0 in the playoffs, including six wins on the road. Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday night in Arlington.
Alvarez hit two solo home runs to become the sixth player in MLB history to have two multihomer games in one postseason. Alex Bregman also connected for the Astros, who went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.
Valdez allowed seven hits and five runs — four earned — in 2 2/3 innings in his second loss this postseason.
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