Astros Vs. Twins: Houston Defeats Minnesota 9-1 In Game 3 On Home Runs By Jose Abreu, Alex Bregman And Yordan Alvarez

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KTRK) — The Houston Astros called Game 3 of the American League Division Series the biggest of their season.

And why not? Their Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Twins didn’t match the damage they can do in the postseason.

So with the pressure on their shoulders, Houston came out swinging, scoring four runs in the first inning, including a three-run home run from Jose Abreu, to power the Astros’ 9-1 win.

The ‘Stros, who own a 2-1 ALDS lead, can shut out the Twins in Minneapolis and secure their record seventh straight AL Championship Series appearance when Game 4 begins Wednesday at 1 p.m. CT. Game 5, if necessary, would be played in Houston on Friday.

Houston recorded a hit in each inning against Minnesota’s starting pitcher Sonny Graywho seemed unbeatable based on previous experience with the Astros’ lineup.

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Entering Tuesday, Gray held the current Houston lineup to just 34 hits over his career, including nine extra-base hits. Only Abreu had an all-time home run against Gray, and on Tuesday the first baseman backed that fact up with a 442-foot blast to left field.

Gray was finally chased out in the fifth inning after giving up eight hits, including an Astros second home run off Alex Bregman, and five runs.

Yordan Alvarez hit a home run for the third straight game and went yard in the ninth inning, where Abreu hit a second home run and scored two runs two batters later.

Astros starter Cristian Javier held the Twins in check, allowing one hit, five walks and no runs in five innings pitched. Game 3 was Javier’s first postseason start since he pitched six innings as part of a combined no-hitter in Game 4 of last year’s World Series.

Houston’s only run allowed was an RBI single to Phil Maton that brought home Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. That same inning also set the stage for a potentially game-saving double play that began with Jeremy Peña grabbing a ground ball as he fell to the ground.

Javier was supported by a lineup that looked different than it did in Games 1 and 2. Manager Dusty Baker used rookie Yanier Diaz as designated hitter and Mauricio Dubon in center field, striking out Michael Brantley and Chas McCormick, who each had one hit first two games. Dubon was the only one of the two newcomers to record a goal in Game 3.

The win also cemented Houston’s dominance on the road. The ‘Stros’ attendance this season was 51-30, compared to a 39-42 record at MMP.

2023 ALDS schedule and results, Astros lead 2-1

Game 1: Astros 6, Twins 4
Game 2: Twins 6, Astros 2
Game 3: Astros 9, Twins 1
Game 4: Houston in Minnesota, Wednesday, 1:07 p.m
Game 5: Minnesota at Houston, Friday, 3:07 p.m.*+

All times Central Time.

* – If necessary
+ – If only one ALDS Game 5 remains on Friday, October 13th, the game will take place at 7:03 p.m

Astros vs. Twins: Houston defeats Minnesota 9-1 in Game 3 on home runs by Jose Abreu, Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez – KTRK-TV

2023 ALDS schedule and results, Astros lead 2-1

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