The Houston Astros are one win away from their seventh consecutive American League Championship Series appearance. League Championship Series after defeating the Minnesota Twins 9-1 in Game 3 of the American League Divisional Series at Target Field on Tuesday.
Abreu Steals the Show with the Astros
Houston led 4-0 before starter Cristian Javier even took the mound, getting a three-run home run from Jose Abreu in the top of the first inning.
Abreu hit another home run in the ninth, while Alex Bregman, in the fifth inning, and Yordan Álvarez, in the ninth, also homered for Houston.
The Astros bounced back after losing Game 2 at Minute Maid Park on Sunday and can close out the series on Wednesday in Minneapolis.
A Twins win would send the series back to Houston for a decisive Game 5 on Friday. Houston has reached the American League Championship Series every year since 2017, winning its first World Series title that season.
The defending champion Astros hope to become the first team since the 1998-2000 Yankees to win back-to-back World Series titles.
After a disappointing regular season in his first year with Houston, Abreu hit a three-run home run in the first inning against the Twins' starter.
Sonny Gray put the Astros up 4-0 after Kyle Tucker's run-producing single to open the scoring.
With a 7-1 lead in the ninth inning, Abreu connected on a two-run home run against Bailey Ober to seal the game, finishing the game with five RBIs.
Abreu, the 2020 American League Most Valuable Player, signed a three-year, $58.5 million contract with the Astros last winter after spending nine seasons with the Chicago White Sox.
The first baseman's .237 batting average and .680 OPS in the regular season were the worst of his career. "This was one of the reasons I signed with this organization, to be in the best situation and compete," Abreu said after the game.
Abreu's home runs traveled 442 and 440 feet, making him the first player with multiple home runs over 440 feet in a postseason game since StatCast began tracking them in 2015, according to MLB's Sarah Langs.
J E R E M Y 🌟 PE Ñ A!#ListosParaReinar | #Postseason pic.twitter.com/jGx7ydSXVT
- Houston Astros (@LosAstros) October 10, 2023
Abreu Wasn't the Only Star to Shine
The Houston starter pitched five shutout innings, allowing one hit, albeit with five walks, and totaled nine strikeouts in his Tuesday performance.
Javier, 26, got into a bases-loaded jam with one out in the fifth inning, but struck out Max Kepler and Royce Lewis to keep the Twins at bay.
The right-hander has performed exceptionally well in the postseason since his 2020 debut, pitching 1.91 ERA in 37⅔ innings. He pitched the first six innings of the Astros' no-hit shutout in Game 4 of last year's World Series against the Phillies.
Javier had an outstanding season in 2022, but this season his effectiveness increased by more than two runs and his strikeout rate decreased drastically.
Houston's left fielder opened the ninth inning against Ober with a solo home run, his fourth home run of the series. The 26-year-old connected for two in the Astros' Game 1 win and another in the Game 2 loss.
Injuries limited Alvarez to 114 games in the regular season, but he still managed 31 home runs and 97 RBIs, being named American League Player of the Month in September.
The third baseman connected on a solo home run against Gray in the top of the fifth inning to extend Houston's lead to 5-0.
It was Bregman's 16th postseason home run in 89 games, and with his run-producing single in the sixth inning, he moved past Reggie Jackson into ninth place all-time with 49 RBIs.
