The Houston Astros have dominated the AL West for the majority of the 2017 season, and unlike 2015 the Rangers didn’t storm back to take the division. The Astros took the Silver Boot Trophy on Monday and Tuesday eliminated the Rangers from the playoffs with a 14-3 win.
The Astros hit Cole Hamels early and often. The first five Astros reached base, including a two-run double by Carlos Correa and a RBI single from Marwin Gonzalez. Brian McCann grounded into a force out to score the fourth run.
George Springer knocked out Hamels in the fourth inning with a RBI single and the Astros led 5-1. Alex Bregman followed with single to left field to score the sixth run.
The Astros got five extra-base hits in the fifth inning. Yuli Gurriel doubled, McCann hit his 16th home run, and Cameron Maybin tripled to center. Springer and Correa followed with a double to help the Astros go up 11-1.
Maybin followed up his triple with a three-run home run in the sixth inning.
Dallas Keuchel had a strong start with one earned run allowed over six innings. He struck out eight and walked one.
The Astros go for the sweep on Wednesday with Justin Verlander versus Nick Martinez at 1:05 p.m.