The Astros got 6 2/3 innings out of Justin Verlander as he gave up two runs off six hits with five strikeouts. Unfortunately, Jordan Montgomery was even better as the Texas Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the ALCS vs Houston. Montgomery pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings, allowing no runs off five hits with six strikeouts. Out of the Rangers bullpen, Sborz, Chapman and Leclerc all shut down the Astros, not giving up a single hit.
Jonah Heim came up with an RBI single in the 2nd to score Evan Carter, grabbing an early 1-0 lead off Verlander. Leodys Taveras added another run on a solo homerun in the 5th. But the Astros bats had no answer for the Rangers' pitching on Sunday night, as Houston fell down a game in the series.
Houston's best chance came in the bottom of the 8th, as Jose Altuve worked a lead off walk. Aroldis Chapman came in to face Alex Bregman, who crushed one to one of the deepest parts of the ballpark, but leftfielder Evan Carter ran it down for an out. To make things worse, Altuve overran second base, and didn't touch the base on the way back to first, and after review he was ruled out for a double play.
ALCS Game 2 will be Monday afternoon, with On Deck coverage starting at 1:30p on SportsTalk790, first pitch at 3:37p.