Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Slug Their Way to First Victory Against Rangers in ALCS

The Houston Astros secured their first win against the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the ALCS as the offense powered them to victory.

Kade Kistner

Houston Astros Slug Their Way to First Victory Against Rangers in ALCS
Houston Astros Slug Their Way to First Victory Against Rangers in ALCS /
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ARLINGTON, Texas - The Houston Astros finally got one on the board against the Texas Rangers, winning Game 3 of the ALCS 8-5. No longer in danger of being swept, the Astros can now turn their eyes towards the next and how to take down the Rangers.

A pivotal Game 3 of the ALCS, Wednesday's matchup was all but a "must-win" for Houston as they were in danger of trailing 3-0 in the ALCS with a World Series on the line.

It was unfamiliar territory for the oft-dominate dynasty making their seventh-straight ALCS.

Luckily, the bats were swinging for the Astros as they took full advantage of Rangers starter Max Scherzer who was making his first appearance on the mound in more than 36 days with a shoulder injury.

The scoring began when Alvarez was hit by a pitch, Kyle Tucker walked and two singles made it 3-0 for the Astros in the second inning.

Jose Altuve then extended Houston's lead with a solo home run in the top of the third to make it 4-0.

Altuve's home run was the 25th of his postseason career, bringing him into second place for the most home runs hit in MLB postseason history.

Cristian Javier extended his postseason scoreless streak to 20.2 innings pitched before allowing a single to Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe in the fifth inning of Wednesday's contest.

The very next batter, Texas third baseman Josh Jung, launched a home run to right-center field to make it 5-2. 

The Astros tacked on two more runs in the seventh when Yordan Alvarez hit a bases loaded single that scored two runners to bring the score to 7-2.

However, Texas, or more precisely, Jung wasn't done. The third baseman launched his second two-run home run of the night to bring the Rangers back within three run 7-4. 

Houston immediately responded with two more runs in the top of the eighth when Rangers reliever Jon Gray allowed a walk and two singles.

After an offensive outpouring, Houston secured their first victory of the ALCS 8-5, a much-needed momentum builder for the reigning World Series champions.

The Texas Rangers were most definitely not taken "Higher" despite the band Creed being in attendance on Wednesday night.

Game 4 of the ALCS will take place on Thursday at Globe Life Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:03 p.m. CT. Starters for both teams have not yet been released.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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