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HOUSTON — Well, hello there, everybody, and what a ballgame we had deep in the heart of Texas on this fine October afternoon! Yes, friends, the Houston Astros take Game 1 of the Division Series with a thrilling 3–2 walk-off victory over the New York Yankees — and how about that?
The Yankees struck first, two runs in the second inning, and for a while it looked as though that might carry the day. But oh, doctor, the Astros had ideas of their own! In the fourth inning, Houston scratched across a pair to tie it, and from that moment forward, every pitch, every swing, every foul ball had the crowd buzzing like a beehive.
Ryan Grater — the southpaw with ice water in his veins — went seven strong, scattering six hits and keeping the Yankees guessing all afternoon. A tip of the cap to him: cool, calm, collected… and simply marvelous.
And then we come to the ninth. Minute Maid Park on its feet, the tension so thick you could butter it. Leo Valdivia at the plate, the winning run ninety feet away. The pitch… swung on… a base hit! Down the line! Here comes the runner! And the Astros win it! How about that! The hometown faithful erupt, and the Yankees walk off a step short.
So it’s Houston with the early 1–0 advantage in this best-of-five affair, and what a start it is. These two clubs have the look of a series that may very well go the distance.
Tomorrow afternoon, they’ll do it all again right here in Houston — and if today was any indication, oh my, we are in for quite a treat.
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