Oct 5, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) hits a single against Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) during the first inning in game one of the 2020 ALDS at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros are lighting up the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of the ALDS.
The MLB’s Divisional Series’ will all be contested between rival teams. Perhaps the most compelling matchup entering Monday was between the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros. Fans expected sparks to fly, but it wasn’t fists and gloves. Rather, it was through hits in the batter’s box.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Athletics led Houston by the score of 5-3 and appeared to be escaping the frame unscathed after shortstop Carlos Correa struck out and first baseman Yuli Gurriel flew out to center field. All Oakland needed to do was to retire outfielder Josh Reddick, but that didn’t happen due to a fielding error by shortstop Marcus Semien, and George Springer and Jose Altuve made him pay for that mistake.
Houston turns a two-run deficit into a two-run lead
After Reddick advanced on Semien’s blunder, catcher Martin Maldonado hit a single left field to move Reddick to second base. Springer stepped up to the plate and hit an RBI double to cut Houston’s deficit to one run. Oakland’s lead would vanish the very next at-bat, as Altuve lined a single to left field, allowing Maldonado and Springer to score to give Houston the 6-5 lead. The Astros would add another run the following at-bat, as Michael Brantley knocked in Altuve to give Houston a 7-5 lead.
The last thing the Athletics wanted to do was to make the cocky Astros even more confident in their abilities. The fact that Houston scored four runs with two outs against them, we may never hear the end of it from Correa if they were to advance to the ALCS.
While this stings for every hater of the Astros, just imagine how Semien must feel.