Correa HR in 11th, Astros top Yankees 3-2; ALCS tied at 1

“The game of baseball, it’s a beautiful game,” Correa said.

The Yankees tied a League Championship Series record by using nine pitchers. The eight relievers had permitted only one run and two hits with 11 strikeouts before Correa homered, ending a game that took 4 hours, 49 minutes and ended right around midnight.

Houston’s five relievers combined for 4 1/3 innings of one-hit shutout ball after taking over for Justin Verlander. Going into this best-of-seven series, the Yankees were considered the better team in the bullpen — the Astros amply held their own in this one.

“Our bullpen was nasty, gave us a chance to win the game,” Correa said.

Gary Sánchez struck out looking to end the Yankees 11th with runners on first and second. The pitch appeared outside — it came right after he swung and missed with two strikes, but was ruled a foul ball.

New York lost for the first time this post-season after four wins.

“It was a struggle tonight,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “They’re tough to score runs off, especially on a night when Verlander is out there.”

Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer off Verlander that put the Yankees ahead 2-1 in the fourth. George Springer tied it in the fifth with a home run on the first pitcher after reliever Adam Ottavino entered.

Correa was sidelined for a while late this year because of back trouble. The All-Star began the day in a 3-for-22 skid this post-season.

Along with his bat, he made the key play in the field to keep it tied at 2 in the sixth. With runners at first and second, and on the move on a full-count pitch with two outs, Brett Gardner hit a hard grounder that bounced off second baseman José Altuve for a single.

The ball bounded away and Correa quickly retrieved it and threw a strike to catcher Robinson Chirinos, who tagged out the sliding DJ LeMahieu.

“I just tried creeping over and as soon as the ball hit him, I scooped it and he sent him, so I had to gun him down,” Correa said.

Correa hit an RBI double in the second off James Paxton, who lasted just 2 1/3 innings.

Hours later, Correa ended it with his drive off Happ.

“I’ve been successful before going the other way against him,” Correa said. “I was looking for something down the middle that I could drive the other way. He threw a perfect pitch to do it.”

In a game decided by bullpens, it was quite a relief for Correa.

“Not playing a couple of weeks before the playoffs and then not producing for or my team offensively, obviously it’s tough, getting hurt and everything,” he said. “But it’s all worth it for moments like this, moments like this where you give your team a chance to win every day, it’s worth it, man.”

“I’ll be working really hard, really hard to get healthy, get back with my teammates. You don’t know what it’s like,” he said. “It’s been a tough road this year but I’m finally here and I was able to contribute tonight.”

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Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Correa HR in 11th, Astros top Yankees 3-2; ALCS tied at 1

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