Astros win 6-4 in Game 1 against Twins

(Houston) Justin Verlander pitched six scoreless innings, Yordan Alvarez hit two home runs and the Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 6-4 in Game 1 of their sectional series on Saturday.

Jose Altuve hit a long fly ball in the first inning and Alvarez drove in three runs as the defending World Series champions won by 10^{It is} consecutive times during the first game of a sectional series.

Thanks to Verlander’s strong start and hits from Altuve and Alvarez, the Astros took a 5-0 lead after six innings.

Héctor Neris took Verlander’s place in seventh. With two outs, Jorge Polanco hit a three-run home run to right field.

Two pitches later, rookie Royce Lewis hit his third long ball in three playoff games to make it 5-4.

Bryan Abreu struck out three batters and Ryan Pressly didn’t allow a run in the ninth inning, striking out Lewis to end the game.

Altuve jumped on Bailey Ober’s first pitch to hit the first home run as the leadoff hitter of the playoff game. Alvarez made it 3-0 in the third inning with a two-run hit against Ober.

Verlander gave up four hits and allowed three walks, for his 17th^{It is} victory at 35^{It is} start in the playoffs.

The second game of the series will be played Sunday in Houston.