top of page
Writer's pictureRay Otero-Alonso

Postseason 2023 | Altuve's clutch HR gave the Astros the win in Game 5. Adolis' big HR wasn't enough

Cuban MLB Players News for the 2023 postseason. A compendium from several sources


José Altuve (Photo: MLB)

Oct 20


American League Championship Series


Astros 5, Rangers 4

Astros lead 3-2


Powered by a dramatic ninth-inning home run by José Altuve, the Astros took a 3–2 series lead over the Rangers on Friday. The game was marked by massive home runs for both teams and heated bases-clearing incidents on the field, resulting in one of the most memorable games of the 2023 postseason.



As the Astros trailed 4–2 with two runners on and no outs in the top of the ninth, Altuve drove a pitch just over the left field wall. Houston won the game with the home run, putting them one victory away from another World Series appearance.


According to ESPN Stats & Info, the 10 career go-ahead home runs by José Altuve pass Albert Pujols as the most in MLB history. It is his third go-ahead HR in the 9th inning or later of a playoff game, the most ever.


A clutch home run by Adolis García off Justin Verlander put the Rangers ahead before the stunning loss, a welcome but brief sign that the Rangers might pick up their offensive game. As a result, the Astros now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.


Despite Jordan Montgomery pitching 5 1/3 innings and Nathaniel Lowe hitting a solo home run, the Astros offense was too much for the Rangers. In addition to Altuve, Alex Bregman also hit a home run and José Abreu produced a single-RBI.


As the series moves back to Houston, the Astros maintain a 3-2 lead, with the potential to win the pennant by Sunday, when Game 6 takes place.


Teams that win Game 5 in a best-of-seven postseason series have won 79 out of 112 times (71%). In series with the current 2-3-2 format, teams that win Game 5 before going home for Games 6-7 have won 20 of 25 times (80%).


José Abreu smacked a go-ahead RBI single off of Jordan Montgomery in the sixth inning on Friday as the Astros triumphed over the Rangers in Game 5 of the ALCS.


The Rangers had just evened the score at 1-1 in the home half of the fifth, when the Astros struck right back in the next frame. Alex Bregman drew a one-out walk, Yordan Álvarez singled into right field and Abreu followed by hitting an 0-2 curveball for a hard (96.7 mph EV) one-hopper that Corey Seager was unable to handle at shortstop — driving in Bregman with the go-ahead run. Abreu finished the day 1-for-4 and is now hitting .257 (9-for-35) with four homers, 12 RBI and a stolen base through his first nine postseason contests.



Adolis García blasted a go-ahead three-run homer off of Justin Verlander in the sixth inning on Friday night, but it wouldn’t be enough to lead the Rangers to victory over the Astros in Game 5 of the ALCS.


The 30-year-old slugger transformed a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 advantage with his mammoth 396-foot (108.0 mph EV) blast into the seats in left center. He was then drilled by Bryan Abreu his next time up — leading to a benches-clearing altercation that got García, Abreu and Dusty Baker ejected from the ballgame. The Astros then rallied in the ninth inning, as José Altuve crushed a go-ahead three-run homer of his own to flip the script. For the postseason, García is hitting .286 (12-for-42) with four long balls and 11 RBI. The Rangers will now have their backs against the wall as they attempt to stave off elimination in Game 6 in Houston on Sunday.



Yordan had another multi hit game.


Yordan Álvarez did not hit a home run during Game 5 of the ALCS, won by Houston 5-4 over Texas. He managed two more hits in a game in which he went 2-for-5 but struck out three times. During the 2023 postseason, Álvarez hits .417/.450/.972 with a high OPS of 1.422, six home runs, 11 runs scored, and 13 RBIs.


Aroldis Chapman worked in the eight inning.


In Game 5 of the ALCS, Aroldis Chapman pitched the eighth inning. Before allowing a double from Kyle Tucker that took him out of the game, the Cuban retired his two compatriots, Yordan Álvarez - strikeout - and José Abreu. It was Chapman's 41st postseason appearance, and he was credited with the hold.

תגובות


News

Americas Series

Official schedule released for the first Americas Series, Nicaragua 2025
The 2025 Americas Series schedule was presented in Nicaragua.

BCL Americas

WBSC reveals the second Americas Baseball Champions League set for April 2025
Second edition of the Americas Baseball Champions League announced.

U15

Carlos Sarduy's outstanding performance leads Cuba to win the II U-15 Caribbean Cup title
Carlos Sarduy's brilliant start helped Cuba secure a 1-0 win against the Bahamas, earning the gold at the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Cuba advances to the final of the U-15 Caribbean Cup, after beating the US Virgin Islands 10-0
In the first semi-final, Cuba defeated the US Virgin Islands 10-0, advancing to the final of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

Bahamas big third inning ends Cuba's undefeated run with an 11-8 win in the U-15 Caribbean Cup.
Bahamas ended Cuba's unbeaten streak with an 11-8 victory in the last game of the qualifying round of the II U-15 Caribbean Cup.

U15

In its second appearance at the U-15 Caribbean Cup, Cuba defeated St. Maarten 13-1 in five innings
Cuba with second win in the U15 Caribbean Cupa, fter beating Saint Marteen 13-1.

U15

Revised schedule following adjustments due to the confirmed absence of the Dominican Republic
The schedule for the II U-15 Caribbean Cup has been adjusted following the absence of the Dominican Republic.

U15

Cuba made a strong start with a solid 12-0 win against the US Virgin Islands in the U-15 Caribbean Cup
Cuba starts the II U-15 Caribbean Cup with a win, after a 12-0 victory over the Virgin Islands.

U15

Cuba for the title of the second edition of the U-15 Caribbean Baseball Cup that begins today in the Bahamas
Starting today, Cuba will take part in the Caribbean Baseball Cup U-15 category, eager to obtain the title.

WBSC

Cuba at its lowest point in history following the announcement of the new WBSC/KONAMI world ranking
Cuba drops two spots in the WBSC/KONAMI world rankings following the conclusion of the Premier12 world tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei wins its first ever world title with a 4-0 rout of Japan. USA wins bronze after beating Venezuela 6-1
Chinese Taipei made history with its first-ever World Cup championship after beating Japan 4-0 at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday night.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6, ahead of Sunday's final. Team USA beat Venezuela 6-5, and both will compete for bronze
Japan beat Chinese Taipei 9-6 and both teams will play the Premier12 final this Sunday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Shugo Maki's grand slam gives Japan a 9-6 win over Venezuela. Chinese Taipei continues to surprise and beat Team USA 8-2 in the afternoon
Samurai Japan remains undefeated with a 9-6 win over Venezuela, while Taipei disposes of Team USA 8-2 on Friday.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan convincing win, beats Team USA 9-1. Venezuela also has its first win by beating Chinese Taipei 2-0
Japan had a convincing first win against Team USA while Venezuela also beat Chinese Tapei in the start of the Super Round.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Chinese Taipei blanks Cuba 2-0, advances to the Super Round as second in Group B. Japan undefeated
Chinese Taipei defeated Cuba 2-0, advancing to the Super Round in Tokyo with a 4-1 record. Cuba is at the bottom of Group B.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Japan secures a spot in the Super Round of the global tournament by narrowly defeating Cuba 7-6
Japan secured first place in Group B of the WBSC Premier12 with a hard-fought 7-6 win over Cuba.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba secures its first win thanks to Yadir Drake's crucial home run and strong performance from the bullpen
Yadir Drake's home run and the work of the Cuban bullpen keep Cuban hopes alive in the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba is aiming to secure a must win against Australia to stay alive in Group B. Darío Sarduy appointed as the starting pitcher
Cuba will go up against Australia this Saturday at 12:00 pm local time in Taiwan, aiming to secure a crucial first win.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | South Korea handed Cuba its second loss with two home runs by Kim Do-yeong, during a disastrous performance by Liván Moinelo
South Korea defeated Cuba 8-4 to hand them their second defeat of the tournament.

Premier12

WBSC Premier12 | Cuba suffered its first defeat, 6-1, following a late comeback by the Dominican Republic
In the opening game of Group B at the 2024 WBSC Premier12 in Taipei City, the Dominican Republic handed Cuba a difficult 6-1 loss.
bottom of page