Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Álvarez had already made an imprint on the team’s ALDS series against the Seattle Mariners, hitting a walk-off home run in Game 1 of the series. In Game 2, Álvarez one-upped himself in a huge way to help the Astros stay in control of this series.
It was a pitcher’s duel throughout in Game 2, but the turning point in the game is when Álvarez came up to bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.
To that point, Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo had been excellent at limiting the explosive Astros offense, but Álvarez continued his postseason heroics with a clutch two-run home run to give the Astros a 3-2 lead.
YORDAN ÁLVAREZ DOES IT AGAIN! Astros take the lead! pic.twitter.com/isMyqeWDt8
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 13, 2022
An RBI single from Alex Bregman in the eighth inning added to the Houston lead. That was enough for the Astros bullpen, who pitched 3.1 shutout innings to lock up a 4-2 win. That gave Houston a 2-0 lead in the series.
As a team, the Astros have performed very well this series. But many are pointing out just how excellent Álvarez has been against Seattle.
GOOD GOD YORDAN ALVAREZ https://t.co/xFfzOaHX8u
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) October 13, 2022
YORDAN ALVAREZ DOES IT AGAIN!!!
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) October 13, 2022
That man is CLUTCH 😯 @BRWalkoff
Yordan Alvarez puts the Astros ahead for the second game in a row 😤 pic.twitter.com/lMsqHUu4M9
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 13, 2022
Can anyone stop Yordan Álvarez and the Houston Astros? 🥵
🎥: @MLBpic.twitter.com/VeQoJt13Lw
— FanDuel Canada (@FanDuelCanada) October 13, 2022
Mariners stop pitching to Yordan Alvarez pic.twitter.com/rgR05Ioj7u
— wally (@paultwentworth) October 13, 2022
According to ESPN Stats & Info via Jeff Passan, his latest home run makes him the first player in MLB history to hit two go-ahead home runs while trailing in the sixth inning or later in postseason play.
Before today, nobody in baseball history had hit more than one go-ahead homer while trailing in the sixth inning or later of a postseason game, per @ESPNStatsInfo. Now, Yordan Álvarez has done it twice in two games.
Very simply, he's the one of the best hitters on the planet.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 13, 2022
This speaks to just how clutch Yordan Álvarez has been, and he will clearly be a problem for any team the Astros face this postseason.
Houston is now just one game from advancing to the ALCS, where it will face off against the winner of the Yankees–Guardians series.
They will have a chance to eliminate Seattle on Saturday when the two teams will face off in a pivotal Game 3 in the series.
[The Comeback on Twitter, Jeff Passan]
