2023 MLB Playoffs highlights: Twins best Astros, Rangers top Orioles
Playoff baseball plowed ahead Sunday, as the American League presented a double showcase featuring the Texas Rangers against the Baltimore Orioles, and Minnesota Twins vs. the Houston Astros.
Texas got a Game 1 win behind a massive homer from star rookie Josh Jung, plus a clutch collective performance from its bullpen. Jung was stellar again in Game 2, ending the game as one of four Rangers with two hits. Mitch Garver was one of them. The designated hitter raked in five RBI, including four on a grand slam. Texas took a 2-0 lead in the series with an 11-8 win.
Meanwhile in Houston, Yordan Alvarez looked unflappable in Game 1, as he mashed two big homers to push the Astros past Minnesota, 4-6. He hit another in Game 2, but his efforts were not enough to best Carlos Correa & company's offensive output. Correa was 3-of-3 at the plate with three of Minnesota's six RBI, while Pablo López couldn't be touched on the bump, as he fanned seven batters and gave up zero runs in his start.
These are the top plays from the games!
FINAL: Minnesota Twins 6, Houston Astros 2
Familiar face
Carlos Correa's had plenty of big hits at Minute Maid Park, and he added to that total in the first inning with a high RBI double to put Minnesota up 1-0.
Raking early
The Twins had the bats working in the first few innings. After Correa's big hit, Kyle Farmer got in on the action by mashing this two-run jack to left field.
What a play!
Jeremy Peña showed how good he can be in the postseason last year. And he was back to his usual tricks in the field, coming up with this impressive diving stop.
Got 'em!
Lopez kept the Astros at a goose egg courtesy of this high heater to wave Chas McCormick.
Coming up in the clutch
This man is on fire! Correa added two more RBI with the bases loaded on a missile to center field.
Off the wall!
Make that 3-for-3 for Mr. Correa. He smacked one off the left field fence as part of another scoring inning for Minnesota, helping put the Twins up 6-0.
Stand and watch
Air Yordan returned to the fold again with a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth.
PREGAME
Ready for war
Pablo López looked locked in as he headed into Minute Maid Park ahead of his start.
FINAL: Texas Rangers 11, Baltimore Orioles 8
Baltimore strikes first!
Camden Yards went berserk as Aaron Hicks plated two runners courtesy of this base hit to right field. And you have to see this nifty slide from Gunnar Henderson.
Airborne Rangers!
The Rangers weren't moved by Baltimore's early push, and erupted in the second inning to the tune of five runs.
Leody Taveras kicked off the rally with a two-run double to left center field, before Mitch Garver, Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim followed with an RBI single apiece to put Texas up 5-2 in the second.
Four-bagger!
Texas blew the game open in the top of the third, as Garver smoked a grand slam off Jacob Webb to put his squad up 9-2. It marked just the second grand slam in Rangers postseason history.
Bye-bye baseball!
Henderson has had himself a heck of a season. And he continued to show out in the postseason, smacking a big fly to left field for Baltimore's fifth run of the game.
History made
The Rangers took an 11-5 lead in the ninth after Josh Jung clubbed a double to open the inning, while Corey Seager made history as the first player to be walked five times in a postseason contest.
He did it again!
Hicks added three more RBI to his tally in the ninth, launching a massive homer in the bottom of the ninth to rejuvenate Camden Yards.
José Leclerc fanned Cedric Mullins two batters later though, to preserve Texas' win.
PREGAME
Catching up with Gunnar
Just ahead of Game 2, AL Rookie of the Year frontrunner Gunnar Henderson spoke with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.