In a thrilling Game 6 of the AL Championship Series, the Texas Rangers came out strong with the help of Nathan Eovaldi’s flawless performance on the mound. Mitch Garver and Jonah Heim provided early home runs, and Adolis García sealed the deal with a ninth-inning grand slam. The Rangers defeated the Houston Astros 9-2 to force a Game 7 on Monday night.
Eovaldi, who also earned the win in Game 2, continued his impressive postseason run by allowing only five hits and two runs in 6 1/3 innings. With this win, Eovaldi improved his playoff record to 4-0 with a 2.42 ERA.
Now, all eyes are on Game 7, where the Rangers will fight for a chance to return to the World Series for the first time since 2011. As one of the six MLB teams without a championship title, the Rangers are hungry for victory.
On the other hand, the defending champion Astros struggled once again, this time due to a subpar start from Framber Valdez and lackluster play at home. Valdez allowed five hits and three runs in five innings, falling to 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA this postseason.
The Rangers held a two-run lead before breaking the game open with a five-run ninth inning, highlighted by García’s grand slam. Despite facing boos from the crowd throughout the game, García came through when it mattered most.
With this win, the Rangers redeemed themselves after losing five consecutive elimination games in the postseason. It was only their second win in eight attempts.
The Astros had a chance to narrow the lead in the late innings, but José Leclerc shut them down, showcasing his resilience after giving up the decisive three-run homer in Game 5. The Rangers’ pitching staff proved to be a crucial asset in securing the victory.
Now, the series stands out as one of the most intriguing in postseason history. Just like the 2019 World Series between Houston and Washington, both of which were won by the road team in the first six games, this ALCS has followed a similar pattern.
As the Rangers prepare for Game 7, the pressure is on to see if they can defy the odds and advance to the World Series. Will they make history and capture their first championship title, or will the Astros find their winning groove once again?
