The Texas Rangers came up big at the perfect times Sunday night to defeat the Houston Astros 9-2 in Game 6 of the ALCS.
Game 7 is Monday night in Houston.
The Rangers, who had watched the Astros win three straight to take a 3-2 ALCS lead, got out to a 3-1 lead in the fourth thanks to a two-run blast by catcher Jonah Heim. But the real drama came in the bottom of the eighth. Trailing 4-2, the Astros loaded the bases with one out, but reliever José Leclerc shut the door, striking out pinch-hitter Jon Singleton to end the threat.
The Rangers, looking to scratch out an extra run or two for insurance in the top of the ninth, did better than that. Texas loaded the bases, setting the stage, fittingly enough, for Adolis García. The Rangers slugger, who got beaned by a fastball in Game 5 for celebrating an earlier home run, crushed a grand slam that put the game out of reach. And what better revenge for García.
Adolis García hits a grand slam into the Crawford Boxes to give the Rangers a 9-2 lead. pic.twitter.com/myLGZnDgNy
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 23, 2023
The Rangers’ victory continued the bizarre ALCS trend, as the home team has yet to win a game.
The crazy late-inning heroics and drama in Game 6 left fans buzzing.
FINAL: Rangers 9, Astros 2
This series deserves a Game 7, and it will get one — with a World Series berth on the line. That makes six road wins in six ALCS games, this one turning into a late blowout for Texas.
Likely Game 7 starters Monday: Max Scherzer vs. Cristian Javier.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 23, 2023
Adolis called Game!!
— Tucker Fleming (@TuckerFleming3) October 23, 2023
JOSE FREAKING LECLERC!!!
CAME IN RELIEF
TRYING TO GET 2 OUTS
BASES LOADED
AND?
HE GOT IT DONE
WE LOVE JOSE LECLERC
— Dallas Nation
(@TheDallasNation) October 23, 2023
October baseball is incredible https://t.co/DdndOTCPxC
— Rami Hanna (@WhoElseButRami) October 23, 2023
Garcia gets payback after being booed by Astro fans all game. The perfect time to get a grand slam! #Garcia #TexasRangers #Grandslam pic.twitter.com/TlLQCA5nUv
— CryptoMedic (@RealCryptoMed) October 23, 2023
Absolutely electric series.
Baseball is so back. It never left but it’s so back.
— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) October 23, 2023
congrats Rangers fans. Don’t blow it. Can’t wait to see what the Astros look like with a competent leader on the bench — Derek (@DerekAggie06) October 23, 2023
Series clinching victories are Dusty Baker’s kryptonite
— mathew balboa (@SoFladreamer) October 23, 2023