The final inning of Game 6 of the ALCS was a wild one, with the Yankees tying the game in the top of the ninth thanks to a two-run blast from DJ LeMahieu off of Roberto Osuna. But, just when it seemed like extra innings were imminent, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman couldn’t get it done; after securing two outs, he gave up a 407-foot home run to José Altuve, ending the game and sending the Astros to the World Series to face the Washington Nationals.
ALTUVE SENDS THE @ASTROS TO THE #WORLDSERIES! pic.twitter.com/NYx1yzRFDY
— MLB (@MLB) October 20, 2019
After Chapman fell behind to Altuve 2-0, the Astros had no doubt that their second baseman would get ahold of one. “I was sitting on the stairs and I looked at Mike [Brantley] after the 2-0 pitch and I said ‘José’s gonna win this for us,’” Josh Reddick said after the game.
“I wasn’t trying to hit a homer,” Altuve said. “I was just thinking to hit the ball hard, get on base and keep the momentum. Thank god the ball went out.”
The two-run walk-off homer put an abrupt end to the Yankees’ season, as the American League East champs fell 6-4. “Sports can be a little bit cruel for the team that goes home,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
“You’ve got to win in October,” outfielder Brett Gardner told reporters. “Obviously, we’ve got a long time to think about that before another October rolls around.”
The Astros will take on the Washington Nationals in Game 1 of the World Series on Tuesday (10/22).
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