Athletics vs Astros, 12:35 PM PDT, TV: TBS
The Astros lead the series 2-0.
LHP Jesus Luzardo tries to prevent an Astros sweep for the As, and RHP Jose Urquidy, pitching in a sore-armed Zack Greinke’s slot, tries to complete it. Luzardo gave up three runs in 3 1/3 innings against the White Sox in the As’ Wild Card Series, while Urquidy went 4 1/3 innings against the Twins in the Astros’ Wild Card Series, giving up one run on two hits and getting no decision.
Rays vs Yankees, 4:10 PM PDT, TV: TBS
The series is tied 1-1.
RHP Charlie Morton starts for the Rays after a twelve-day layoff. He’ll face the Yankees’ RHP Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka gave up six earned runs to the Indians in Game Two of the Yankees’ Wild Card Series, more than he’d ever given up in eight previous postseason starts.
The Yankees have made plenty of postseason history on October 7, but so have a lot of other teams. The event with the most lasting significance was this: In 1969 the Cardinals traded Curt Flood along with Byron Browne, Joe Hoerner, and Tim McCarver to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Dick Allen, Jerry Johnson, and Cookie Rojas. When Flood refused to report to Philadelphia, St. Louis sent Willie Montanez and a minor leaguer to complete the trade, but the outfielder’s courageous challenge to the reserve clause had a dramatic impact on the game.
The As have fought back from a 7-4 deficit to tie the game in the 7th on a 3-run HR by
ChrisChad Pinder.Hanging Chad Pinder…
7-2 Rays in the 6th.
Earl Weaver would be proud. So far the winning team has out-homered the loser in every game in the postseason.
Dodgers did not out-homer the Pads.
Then the ESPN radio guys’ research was wrong.
By their standard, the game should’ve ended in a tie.
As hung on to win 9-7 and play again tomorrow.
Gotta whiteout those Asterisks! Melvin used his closer for three innings and 37 pitches, though.
The As have now taken the lead 8-7 with runners on 1st and 3rd in the 8th. And after an HBP the bases are loaded with one out.
Losing La Stella, though, would be a big blow. He’s been really good for them.