Astros Continue Home Struggles; Rangers Force Game 7

Texas -- After 162 games and 90 victories between the Astros and Rangers, who shared the American League West title, Houston won the division on the last day of the season due to its superior head-to-head record.

The rivals from Lone Star State are tied again after six ALCS games, with one game left to determine a World Series berth.

In Game 6 of the ALCS on Sunday night at Minute Maid Park, the Rangers defeated the Astros 9-2, thanks to home runs from Mitch Garver, Jonah Heim, and Adolis García, as well as 6 1/3 excellent innings from starter Nathan Eovaldi. This tied the series at three games apiece.

Alex Bregman, the third baseman for the Astros, stated, "You tip your hat to them." "They had outstanding ball throwing technique. Obviously, I felt that we didn't play offensively enough tonight. But Game 7 is tomorrow. Win or return home. I'm sure that everyone in this room is eager for tomorrow.

The Astros, behind by two runs going into the bottom of the eighth inning, loaded the bases with one out. The game was much closer than the final score indicated. Rangers reliever José Leclerc, who allowed Jose Altuve's game-winning home run in the ninth inning in Game 5, got Mauricio Dubón to line out and struck out Jon Singleton, the pinch hitter, to quiet the fans.

Dubón stated, "I was attempting to bring the run in, trying to make something happen." "I failed because, at the time, I didn't have the correct strategy. It was evident.

It's a cutting Astros team hitting 177/.259/.281 with three home runs in three ALCS home games, including 2 for 17 when there were runners in scoring position. In Game 6, they went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.

Dusty Baker, the manager, described it as unsatisfactory. Opportunities are the name of the game, and then you have to hope that you take advantage of them. We had some activity in the eighth inning, and with Duby up there in particular—he's been hitting well all year long—you could be sure he would make contact. You just don't get things done certain days, as I mentioned.

After striking out in his previous four at-bats, García delivered a grand slam as part of the Rangers' five runs scored in the ninth inning. After being struck by a pitch in Game 5 by Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, which resulted in a benches-clearing incident, García was loudly jeered during Game 6. While appealing a two-game MLB ban, Abreu only pitched one inning and could not be available for Game 7.

According to Baker, "that could be a huge blow." "Had the decision been made, I considered using him [for] two innings today." However, it would be unfortunate if the punishment and ban were to go until tomorrow. If Abreu had played two innings, I would not have had him tomorrow.

To progress to the World Series for the fourth time in five years and the third time in a row, the Astros will need to break the home team's losing streak in Game 7, which takes place on Monday. Game 7 is the largest baseball game in the history of the state. Cristian Javier will take the mound for the Astros in the winner-take-all contest.