ALDS GAME 1 REACTION

Houston Astros rally, Yordan walks it off to win 8-7 over the Mariners

Houston Astros rally, Yordan walks it off to win 8-7 over the Mariners
Astros win Game 1 in historic fashion! Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.

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The Astros started in a hole in Game 1 of the ALDS with Justin Verlander giving up one run in the first inning. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh drove in a run to right field, before Verlander was able to get out of the jam.

The Astros only saw 6 pitches in the bottom of the first and JV was quickly back on the field.

Verlander took the mound in the top of the 2nd with the Astros down 1-0. That wouldn't last long as JV would give up three more runs before getting bailed out with a double play ball to end the inning. (A nice play by Jeremy Pena and Jose Altuve)

Mariners 4, Astros 0.

The Astros got the offense going against Mariners starter Logan Gilbert in the bottom of the third. Chas McCormick started the inning with a base hit. Martin Maldonado then struck out with Jose Altuve coming to the plate. Altuve worked a walk, Jeremy Pena hit a ball deep to center, allowing McCormick to tag up and move to third.

Next up, Yordan Alvarez got a curveball and drove it off the wall in left field, recording a double and driving in McCormick and Altuve. Kyle Tucker stuck out on a breaking ball to end the inning. Mariners 4, Astros 2 heading to the fourth.

It looked like Verlander was starting to get comfortable after striking out the first two batters of the fourth inning. That wouldn't last long as JV gave up a monster home run to J.P. Crawford, then a triple to Julio Rodriguez and a double to Ty France putting the Mariners up 6-2. JV would give up a hit to Eugenio Suarez, but Alvarez threw France out at the plate heading to the bottom of the fourth, Mariners 6, Astros 2.

Yuli Gurriel quickly responded in the bottom of the fourth, hitting a home run to left field. Mancini, McCormick, and Maldonado would go down in order after that. Mariners 6, Astros 3.

After two scoreless innings, the Mariners got on the board again with a solo home run by Eugenio Suarez off of Cristian Javier, making the score 7-3 in the top of the seventh.

The Astros got back on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth after a single off the wall from Yordan Alvarez and an absolute bomb of a homer to left center from Alex Bregman. Mariners flame-throwing reliever Andres Munoz threw Bregman four straight sliders, and clearly it was one too many. Next up, an angry Munoz struck out Kyle Tucker on a 102 MPH fastball. With two outs, Yuli Gurriel collected his third hit of the game, bringing Trey Mancini to the plate with two outs. Mancini stuck out on a slider sending the game to the ninth inning. Mariners 7, Astros 5.

The Astros got a quick clean inning from Rafael Montero and headed to the ninth down two. Christian Vazquez led off the inning with a ground out. David Hensley was then hit by a pitch brining up Altuve who would strike out. With the Astros down to their final out, Jeremy Pena ripped a single to center and the Mariners put in former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to pitch to Yordan Alvarez.

And Yordan did what Yordan does, he hit a 3-run bomb to win the game.

Final: Astros 8, Mariners 7.

Next up: Game 2 of the ALDS gets started Thursday afternoon at Minute Maid Park.

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The Jazz host the Rockets on Thursday night. Photo by David Berding/Getty Images.

The Houston Rockets, riding a three-game road winning streak, head to Salt Lake City on Thursday night to take on the Utah Jazz. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. EDT.

Team outlook

Houston (47-26) sits second in the Western Conference and has been dominant in recent weeks, winning nine of its last 10 games. The Rockets have thrived in blowout situations, going 21-9 in games decided by 10 or more points.

Utah (16-57) has endured a rough season, sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The Jazz have lost nine of their last 10 and are just 7-39 against conference opponents. Despite their struggles, they remain a strong team on the offensive glass, ranking sixth in the West with 11.9 offensive rebounds per game, led by Walker Kessler’s 4.6 per contest.

Key matchups

Kessler has been a bright spot for the Jazz, averaging 11.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game. Collin Sexton has also stepped up recently, averaging 14.1 points over the last 10 games.

For Houston, Alperen Sengun continues to shine with averages of 19 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Dillon Brooks has also been on a tear, hitting 3.1 three-pointers per game in his last 10 contests.

By the numbers

  • The Jazz average 113.6 points per game but give up 120.1, a troubling disparity.
  • Houston allows just 108.8 points per game in its last 10 contests, a major reason for its recent dominance.
  • Utah’s 13.9 made three-pointers per game could be a factor against a Rockets defense that allows 12.1 per contest.

Injury report

The Jazz will be without several key players, including Lauri Markkanen (illness), John Collins (ankle), Taylor Hendricks (fibula), and Jordan Clarkson (foot).

The Rockets list Amen Thompson as day-to-day (ankle), while Reed Sheppard is out with a thumb injury.

With momentum firmly on their side, the Rockets will look to keep rolling and take care of business against a short-handed Jazz squad.


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