HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros are back in the World Series.
The Astros are American League champions after Yordan Alvarez, Luis Garcia and Kyle Tucker led them to a 5-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
Alvarez went 4-for-4 with an RBI double and two runs scored. He opened the scoring in the first inning and scored on Tucker’s three-run homer that put the game out of reach in the eighth inning. Alvarez hit an ALCS-record .522 in the series to win MVP honors.
Garcia limited the Red Sox to one hit and a walk while striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings. He pitched no-hit ball into the sixth inning, leaving to a huge ovation with two outs after a triple by Kiké Hernández.
Houston’s bullpen followed with one-hit ball over the final 3 1/3, helping the Astros reach the Fall Classic for the third time in five seasons.
Red Sox starter and loser Nathan Eovaldi was reached for one run and five hits over 4 1/3 innings.
Braves try again to oust Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers are still alive in the NL Championship Series after snapping out of their hitting funk while getting an outstanding performance from six relievers.
Just like last year’s NL Championship Series, the Braves have led this year’s series 2-0 and 3-1. LA forced a Game 6 by hitting five home runs and tossing five-hit ball in an 11-2 rout of Atlanta.
The Braves will start right-handed Ian Anderson in the potential clincher. The Dodgers had planned to go with ace Max Scherzer, but he’s been scratched after working 4 1/3 innings in Game 2. The Dodgers did not announce a reason for the decision, nor did they name a replacement.
