Yankees Show Signs Of Life Against Astros

It’s a fast turnaround for the Houston Astros and New York Yankees, who play Game 4 of their American League Championship Series at 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees showed the first signs of their offensive potency Monday night in beating the Astros 8-1 to narrow the series deficit to 2-1. It showed some positive signs for the Yankees after a pair of 2-1 defeats in Houston in this best-of-seven matchup.

They got their first hit from their designated hitter spot … in the entire playoffs. Aaron Judge, silent at the plate, hit a three-run homer and made several fine plays in the outfield. The Yankees won again at home, where they had turned around the series against the Cleveland Indians after dropping the first two games. And C.C. Sabathia, 37, worked six scoreless innings, striking out five and walking four.

It was the awakening of the bats, however, that stirred the Yankees.

“We had two games where we didn’t do much, but our offense is back, I think, and hopefully it will keep going tomorrow,” said Todd Frazier, who got the Yankees started against the Astros with a three-run homer in the first inning off starter and loser Charlie Morton, who was charged with seven runs.

Game 4 will be televised by FS1.

In the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers take their 2-0 lead to Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. That game will be televised by TBS at 9 p.m.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman