Houston Astros Face Intense Struggles in ALCS Game 1 Loss to Rangers

The Houston Astros had Justin Verlander on the hill and a sold-out crowd at Minute Maid Park, but their woes at home continued with a 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday.

The Rangers now have a 1-0 lead in the series, the first postseason series between the two in-state rivals. Game 2 is set for Monday at 3:37 p.m. Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will face Rangers right-hander — and Alvin, Texas, native — Nathan Eovaldi.

The Astros have a losing record at home this season and while Verlander (1-1) pitched well for the Astros, Rangers starter Jordan Montgomery (2-0) pitched better, as he went seven-plus innings and limited the Astros to five singles.

Jose Leclerc got the save for the Rangers.

The Astros, who were down 2-0 after five innings, had their best chance to tie or take the lead in the eight after Jose Altuve drew a leadoff walk from Rangers reliever Josh Sborz. That led to the Rangers calling in Aroldis Chapman from the bullpen, a reliever that has had his own struggles at Minute Maid Park.

Pitching to Alex Bregman, the Astros third baseman took a 2-1 slider for a ride to deep left field where Rangers rookie Evan Carter made a leaping catch at the wall for the out.

Then, it turned into a double play after an Altuve baserunning mistake. Altuve rounded second believing that Bregman’s fly ball would at least be a hit. But after Carter made the catch Altuve ran back to first, but failed to touch second base on his way back. The Rangers challenged that and replay led to Altuve being called out.

Yordan Alvarez — who struck out in three previous at-bats against Montgomery — grounded out to end the inning.

Verlander pitched 6.2 innings for the Astros and gave up six hits, two runs and two walks while striking out five. He didn’t have his best stuff, but he put up a quality start.

He allowed a run in the second on an RBI single by the Rangers’ Johan Heim. That was set up by an Evan Carter leadoff double, which glanced off Astros first baseman José Abreu’s glove and into right field. Carter accelerated to second after Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker didn’t immediately fire the ball to the second.

The Rangers loaded the bases later in the second but Verlander got Marcus Semien to pop out.

The Rangers got their only other run on a solo home run by Leody Taveras in the fifth inning.

The Astros had a pair of big opportunities to put runs on the board. Alvarez struck out with two on and two out in the third inning, while Martin Maldonado struck out with the bases loaded in the fourth inning.

2023 ALCS schedule

Game 1: Texas 2, Houston 0 (Rangers lead series, 1-0)

Game 2: Monday: Texas at Houston, 3:37 p.m. (Fox or FS1)

Game 3: Wednesday: Houston at Texas, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 4: Thursday: Houston at Texas, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 5*: Friday: Houston at Texas, 4:07 p.m. (FS1)

Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 22: Texas at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (FS1)

Game 7*: Monday, Oct. 23: Texas at Houston, 7:03 p.m. (Fox/FS1)

*If necessary