Manuel Margot makes catch of the year and Rays beat Astros
The win, the second in a row, gives the Rays a 2-0 series lead
Once again, the combination of solid pitching and timely and productive hitting led by Dominican outfielder Manuel Margot allowed the Tampa Bay Rays to beat the Houston Astros 4-2 on Monday night in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series .
The victory, the second in a row, gives the Rays a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series at the bubble headquarters of San Diego’s Petco Park.
Margot hit a three-run home run off a batter after a crucial Houston error, then made a spectacular catch in right field that made him the winning factor for the Rays.
The Dominican outfielder hit the home run by facing starter Lance McCullers Jr. with two outs in the first inning that was going to make a difference the rest of the way.
Then, in the second episode, he also starred in the defensive play as he was chased by a deep foul from outfielder George Springer to the right fielder as he tried to cover his face from the sun’s rays and caught the ball as it fell on the other side of the railing. , on a corridor near the Petco Park grandstands.
Margot came back and lifted her glove on the ball after running 102 feet (31 meters) at full speed. That ended the inning, leaving two Astros running backs on the bases.
Then starter Charlie Morton (1-0), a former Astros pitcher, covered five innings, spanning five hits on a walk and having five hits that left him with the win.
Four relievers, led by Peter Fairbanks, who worked two full innings, ensured the Rays’ victory.
Right-hander Nick Anderson was in charge of getting the last three ‘outs’ of the game and although he gave up three hits with an earned run, and walked two, in the end he secured the victory and took the rescue.
Along with Margot, who went 3-1 with a score and three RBIs, left fielder Randy Arozarena was 4-2 and scored a run.
The loss went to McCullers Jr. (0-1), who pitched seven full innings with four yielded hits, including two homers, and four runs – one earned -, did not walk and retired 11 batters on the road. punch.
The third game of the series will be played this Tuesday on the same stage at Petco Park.
