VIDEO: Astros Avoid Late Scare and Preserve Gerrit Cole Gem to Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Rays
By Thomas Carannante
The Houston Astros looked like they were cruising to an easy 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, but then came the ninth inning. Roberto Osuna entered the game to close it out, but sure did a poor job of that. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks, leaving the bases loaded for Will Harris, who came through and shut the door. That's good news for Gerrit Cole, who tossed another gem and extended the Astros' franchise record of winning 14 straight games in which he's pitched.
15 Ks. One of the best Postseason pitching performances you'll ever see.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 6, 2019
Enjoy the moment, Gerrit Cole! pic.twitter.com/Mq1c0uGlGS
Cole, by the way, had the most swings and misses in postseason game over the last 15 YEARS!
Most Swings and Misses in a Postseason Game Last 15 Years
— Today in MLB (@TodayintheMLB) October 6, 2019
2019 ALDS, Gerrit Cole, 33
2010 NLDS, Tim Lincecum: 31
2017 ALCS, Justin Verlander: 25
2015 NLDS, Jacob deGrom: 24
2013 ALCS, Max Scherzer: 24
2013 ALDS, Justin Verlander: 24
(H/t @JeffPassan & @ESPNStatsInfo)#Astros pic.twitter.com/NEl9hR6BiZ
Alex Bregman got things started with a solo home run and then Yuli Gurriel added an RBI single. The Astros' third run was a big RBI single off the bat of Carlos Correa in the eighth inning, which really helped ease the pressure in the ninth.
Whew!!! Will Harris gets us out of a jam. #Rays left bases loaded. #Astros win 3-1 #AldsGame2 #KHOU11 pic.twitter.com/ZfyAlI7WYl
— Shern-Min Chow ?? (@ShernMinKHOU) October 6, 2019
The Astros now lead the ALDS 2-0 and head to Tampa Bay for Game 3. Zack Greinke will be on the mound as Houston looks to close it out.