ALCS: Alex Bregman’s Homer Gives Astros Win Over Yankees in Game 2

In Game 2, the standout third baseman Alex Bregman produced the decisive blow — a three-run home run in the third inning — while the left-handed starting pitcher Framber Valdez overcame his own defensive miscues to toss seven stout innings.

Alvarez and Altuve, meanwhile, have gone a combined 1 for 13 with three walks through the two games. And after the lone hit — a single by Alvarez in the eighth inning — he was picked off at first base by the Yankees left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta.

To his credit, Alvarez carried the Astros in the previous round against the Seattle Mariners, smashing home runs that provided the go-ahead runs in two games of his team’s three-game sweep. But Altuve went 0 for 16 with six strikeouts and one walk. That the Astros, who are making their sixth straight A.L.C.S. appearance, can keep winning without being at their best is a testament to their depth.

Through the years, the Astros have seen stars like shortstop Carlos Correa, outfielder George Springer and the starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Dallas Keuchel depart via free agency. Yet the Astros remain a perennial contender because of the strength of their remaining players and the young newcomers, like right fielder Kyle Tucker, the rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña and Valdez.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/20/sports/baseball/yankees-astros-alcs-game-2-score.html