Ashley Landis/Associated Press
The Houston Astros finally found a way to beat a Tampa Bay Rays defense that frustrated hitters to no end through three games of the American League Championship Series.
Manager Dusty Baker was all too happy to explain how after his team avoided elimination with a 4-3 victory in Game 4 on Wednesday.
“They can’t catch them over the fence,” Baker told reporters following the victory.
Jose Altuve and George Springer both homered for Houston on Wednesday.
It was Altuve’s fifth home run of the postseason and comes at a time when the All-Star infielder is struggling with the yips on defense himself.
His latest blast came in the first inning off one of the Rays’ best starting pitchers in Tyler Glasnow, giving Houston a lead before he even had to field any live balls. Altuve would earn his second RBI of the evening on a double to right field off Glasnow in the third inning.
With Glasnow still dealing in the fifth, Springer launched a two-run shot to left field that provided the Astros with the go-ahead run.
Regardless of who takes the hill for Tampa in Game 5, Houston will need to keep putting the ball in the air to avoid anymore run-ins with the Rays defense.
With the likes of Manuel Margot, Austin Meadows, Randy Arozarena and Kevin Kiermaier patrolling the outfield, there are few hits to be had once the ball gets over the infield. Avoiding the types of game-saving catches the Rays have regularly made this postseason remains vital to Houston’s postseason hopes.
Fortunately, Baker feels confident in his team’s ability to replicate Wednesday’s success moving forward.
