ALCS Game 1: Astros top Yankees in 12 innings

Astros win 4-2 in a marathon ALCS opener

Framber Valdez shines, bullpen falters late, but Astros prevail

The Houston Astros took the lead in the 2022 American League Championship Series with a 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in 12 innings in Game 1 on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park. Framber Valdez was typically excellent, and the bullpen kept New York off the board for most of the night, but the Yankees offense finally broke through in the ninth inning against closer Ryan Pressly to tie the game. The Astros answered right back in the bottom half of the inning off Clay Holmes with an RBI double by Jeremy Pena. In the 12th inning, Jose Altuve came up with the big hit, a two-run double to give the Astros some breathing room.

Valdez was dominant as expected, allowing just three hits and one walk over 6 1/3 innings, striking out nine. The bullpen was good for most of the night, but Hector Neris allowed the game-tying homer to Gleyber Torres in the ninth. Pressly allowed the tying run in the ninth but got out of the inning without further damage. The Astros bullpen ended the night with 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks, striking out six.

The Yankees offense was held in check for most of the night by Valdez and the Houston bullpen, but they finally broke through in the ninth inning. Torres hit a solo homer off Neris to tie the game. The homer was the first allowed by Neris since August 22nd. The Yankees had a chance to win the game in the 10th inning with runners on first and second with one out, but Jose Trevino grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The Astros offense was led by Altuve, who had three hits, including the game-winning RBI double in the 12th inning. Pena also had three hits, including the game-tying RBI double in the ninth inning.

The Astros now have a 1-0 lead in the ALCS. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday night at Minute Maid Park.