Carlos Correa, Right on Time, Scores Winning Run as Astros Tie ALCS
Time has not stood still in the American League Championship Series, especially with Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa. Just four days after smashing a home run against the Boston Red Sox and pointing at his wrist in somewhat of a taunt, Correa had another game-winning run against the Red Sox.
Carlos got a hit and scored to break open a tie in the top of the ninth on Tuesday, and it ignited a seven-run ninth inning and 9-2 win.
The best-of-7 series is tied at 2-2, and Game 5 will be Wednesday at Fenway Park in Boston.
Correa on Friday blasted a home run in the seventh inning to give the Astros a 4-3 lead in the first game of the series in Houston. Houston went on to win that game, 5-4, to take a 1-0 lead. Not even two full seconds from that home run launching off Correa's bat, the superstar flipped his bat and pointed at his wrist while looking at his teammates in the dugout. It was a signal of, "our time."
He duplicated "time" on Tuesday night in Boston.
The Red Sox won the second game in Houston, and then Boston took game three at home on Monday. During that game, Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez forced a Correa groundout while Boston led, 9-3. After the play, Rodriguez mockingly pointed at his own wrist. Rodriguez was criticized by his own coach for that gesture.
Tuesday night, with the game tied at 2-2 in the top of the ninth, Correa doubled to right field to start the inning. He later scored with two outs to make the score 3-2 Astros. It set off a string of hits and runs for Houston, which needed a win Tuesday night to avoid an elimination game on Wednesday and guarantee a Game 6 Friday night in Houston. Game 5 will be Wednesday in Boston, with that game's winner able to take an advantage in the series.
Correa's run in the top of the ninth proved to be the game-winning run.
The Astros still lumped six more runs in the top of the ninth, ultimately putting the game out of reach. The winner of this series will advance to the 2021 World Series to face the winner of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. The Braves hold a 2-1 edge after three games. Game 4 of the NLCS will be Wednesday in Los Angeles.
The feud between Boston and Houston has grown over the past few years. During Houston's run to a 2017 World Series title, the Astros beat the Red Sox, 3 games to 1, in the ALDS. The Astros were later found guilty of a cheating scandal in which they stole pitching signals and let their hitters know what was coming. Houston wasn't punished as a team, and they got to keep their title.
In 2018, the Red Sox went on to win the World Series after defeating the Astros, 4 games to 1, in the ALCS.
The Astros haven't played the Red Sox in the playoffs again until now, and both clubs are looking to become the first American League team since 2018 to win a world title.
