However, the easiest way for the visiting Astros to reach the postseason for the first time in 10 years is to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.
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(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin).
1997 In their regular-season home finale, the Astros clinched the first playoff berth of the Jeff Bagwell/Craig Biggio era. While Jake Marisnick was batting, Arizona reliever Daniel Hudson threw a wild pitch that allowed Springer to tie the game at three. At least on this night, he needn’t it. “But I just wanted to help my team win”. Sometimes odd things happen. “This is a hitter-friendly park with the roof open, and we came out swinging and did a lot of damage”.
Albert Pujols and the Erick Aybar combined for four hits, a run and an RBI in a huge 2-1 win against the Rangers that kept the Halos one game behind the Astros for the final wild-card spot. Minnesota fell two behind. This game would be played in Houston on Monday if necessary.
The left-hander downplayed the achievement.
“I gave my best every night and so did everyone else”, said Lance McCullers, who was Sunday’s starter. The Bucs moved one game away from clinching home-field advantage in the NL Wild Card Game.
Top AL Cy Young candidate Dallas Keuchel (20-8) will start on three days’ rest for the Astros, opposing Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka.
Hinch didn’t want to talk about that. Houston batted around in the first inning before settling for three runs – which ended with Keuchel striking out with the bases loaded.
Springer and Rasmus also scored four times each as the Astros got a season-high 19 hits. Hampton (22) and Lima (21) did it in 1999. The Angels will run out of real estate, as far as season length goes, and a banged-up pitching staff ultimately leaves them on the outside looking in.
“We just couldn’t slow them down”, manager Chip Hale said. “Tonight we will take a shower and get rid of this game and have a better one tomorrow”. Highlighted by a grand slam, Hank Conger hit two of his 11 home runs this season off Hellickson in that contest.
Errors by Arizona third baseman Aaron Hill and left fielder Yasmany Tomas cleared the way for five runs in the first two innings. “We’ll be playing for the division or be in the wild card”.
Astros: OF Carlos Gomez sat out his third straight game with sore ribs.
Washington seemingly threw in their towel last week and let it boil over last Sunday with the dugout stewing of disruptive closer Jonathan Papelbon and he confronted team superstar Bryce Harper about his effort on a groundball out. Diamondbacks LF David Peralta was held out of the lineup Sunday after straining his right wrist Thursday. An MRI was negative but he did not play.
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Collin McHugh earned his 19th victory, and Colby Rasmus homered twice to keep the team on pace for a shot at the title in the American League West. They’re only a game behind the Texas Rangers, and could earn a tie with a win today coupled with a Rangers loss to the Angels. Making his first appearance against the Diamondbacks (78-83), the right-hander has not posted back-to-back wins in any of his 21 career starts this season.
