The Houston Astros will try to tie the ALCS against the Texas Rangers on Thursday in Arlington. After winning the first two games of the series, the Rangers dropped Game 3 on Wednesday, allowing the Astros to get back into the all-Texas matchup.
José Urquidy started on the mound for the Astros and Rangers starter Andrew Heaney…well, he didn’t make it out of the first inning as the Astros scored three runs and Bruce Bochy responded with a quick hook.
The Rangers didn’t wait long to respond as Adolis Garcia led off with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning and then Mitch Garver scored on a sac fly after a walk. After two innings the score was 3-2 for the Astros.
In the Rangers’ half of the third, Corey Seager hit a solo home run that tied the game. Two subsequent singles left the Rangers wanting more – and ended Urquidy’s day early.
The Astros continued to build in the fourth, the exclamation point being a three-run home run by Jose Abreu that made it 7-3.
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Earlier Thursday, there was a low-scoring pitchers’ duel at Chase Field in Phoenix. Ranger Suárez took the mound for the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS, allowing just four baserunners in 5 1/3 innings. On the other hand, Brandon Pfaadt went 5 2/3, allowing just two hits and recording nine strikeouts. The game remained goalless with six players.
Finally, the Phillies broke through in the seventh, opening the scoring when Bryce Harper walked around the bases and scored on a wild pitch. Not the usual move for the Phillies offense, but whatever works.
The Diamondbacks were able to match them in the bottom of the inning, with a single by Tommy Pham and a double by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scoring a run of their own. Draw again.
It remained a draw until the ninth game. With Craig Kimbrel on the mound for the Phillies, Gurriel managed a leadoff run but was eventually subbed out at home. Still, the D-backs loaded the bases before Ketel Marte hit a single to give Arizona the walk-off win and win the NLCS 2-1.
Follow along as Yahoo Sports provides the latest NLCS Game 3 and ALCS Game 4 news, scores and updates on Thursday.