With two outs, Nelson Cruz ripped a double to right off Raley that easily scored Marwin Gonzalez, but when Luis Arraez tried to score from first, Correa took a throw from Kyle Tucker and relayed it home to nip Arraez at the plate. Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (65) gets is greeted by Houston Astros pitching coach Brent Strom after Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. pulled him during the fifth inning of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. He possesses one of the best curveballs in baseball and has taken a huge leap forward this year with improved confidence and focus. Houston Astros right fielder Josh Reddick (22) tries to field Minnesota Twins Alex Kirilloff's single for the first hit of the day off of Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. Minnesota Twins lEddie Rosario (20) reacts after getting called out on strikes during the sixth inning of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. Houston Astros Carlos Correa (1) celebrates with third base coach Omar Lopez after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. On Tuesday, it was Zack Greinke and Framber Valdez piggy-backing the Astros to a win. Kyle Tucker added an insurance run with an RBI single in the ninth. Houston Astros left fielder Kyle Tucker (30) hits a single during the eighth inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Petco Park, Monday, October 12, 2020, in San Diego. The times that you are, you might as well try to have fun.". Astros players and staff consistently preached that the playoffs would be an entirely new season. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter. Altuve and Brantley walked, loading the bases again with the lead run at the plate in Alex Bregman. They previously did it in Game 5 of the 2004 National League Division Series and Game 1 of that year's NL Championship Series. Astros: Houston relievers have not allowed a run in the 2020 postseason in 14 2/3 innings. Tucker also provided his team’s other run of the game when he drove in Michael Brantley in the fourth. Key error deals Astros Game 2 loss, 2-0 hole in ALCS. Houston Astros Michael Brantley (23) celebrates with Carlos Correa after he scored a run on Kyle Tucker's single during the ninth inning of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. Astros’ Pitcher: Jose Urquidy | 0-0, 5.19 ERA Of the 73 teams to advance after winning the first two games, 49 finished off a sweep in Game 3. -- clubbed a pair of home runs to send the Astros to a 5-2 win and a 2-0 series lead over the A's in the best-of-five American League Division Series on Tuesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. Play our game and don’t really worry about the extra stuff. Houston Astros George Springer (4) celebrates with catcher Martin Maldonado (15) after Minnesota Twins Jorge Polanco struck out, to end Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game … "He had a really good breaking ball. The Texas Rangers have the saddest Twitter bio. Valdez faced the A’s on Aug. 8 in Oakland and held them to two runs (one earned) and seven hits in seven innings while striking out nine batters. On Wednesday, it was mostly Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier with a little Brooks Raley mixed into the middle and Ryan Pressly closing things out. Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) is caught in a run down between first and second base as he was picked off trying to steal second by Houston Astros relief pitcher Cristian Javier (53) during the eighth inning of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. In 13 career starts against the Astros, Manaea is 3-5 with a 3.27 ERA. Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Ryan Thompson during the eighth inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Petco Park, Monday, October 12, 2020, in San Diego. However, it was Margot who stole the show as he capitalized on the scoring opportunity in the first inning by clubbing a three-run home run that proved to be the difference-maker. All Rights reserved. Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) is caught in a run down between first and second base as he was picked off trying to steal second during the eighth inning of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. Be fashion-forward with dresses under $20 online at... Chron Exclusive: Save $1,000 on roof replacement, New Chrome extension can save you hundreds. The Astros opened the game on offense and threatened to score with singles from George Springer and Michael Brantley. With the Twins bats held in check, the Astros took the lead for good in the seventh when Carlos Correa blasted a 430-foot home run to center field for a 2-1 lead. … Bregman is 3-for-11 with a homer in Game 1 of the ALDS. PHOTOS: More from the Astros' sweep of the Twins on Wednesday. Houston Astros George Springer (4) reacts at home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez after Springer was called out on strikes during the fourth inning of Game 2 of an MLB Wild Card game at Target Field, Wednesday, September 30, 2020, in Minneapolis. Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Manuel Margot falls into a tunnel as he chased Houston Astros George Springer's ball over the wall for the out during the second inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Petco Park, Monday, October 12, 2020, in San Diego. Blake Taylor threw only 10 pitches and closer Ryan Pressly threw seven, so their usage shouldn’t be an issue. Morton got his second win of the postseason while McCullers fell to 0-1. Luis Garcia, Andre Scrubb and Cy Sneed have yet to throw in the playoffs. Tampa Bay Rays Ji-Man Choi reaches on a throwing error by second baseman Jose Altuve during the first inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Petco Park, Monday, October 12, 2020, in San Diego.