Padres Punch Back

10/20/2022 Padres Punch Back

By: Jeff Yoder

Padres Use 5-Run 5th Inning to Beat Phillies (8-5); Astros Top Yankees Behind Verlander’s Gem (4-2)

The LCS is underway in the AL and NL, and it was west beats east in Wednesday’s doubleheader. The home teams in San Diego and Houston were last night’s winners with the Padres powering past the Phillies and the Astros holding down the Yankees. Here’s what happened on Wednesday:

 

NLCS Gm 2: Padres def. Phillies (8-5)

After winning Game 1, the Phillies looked like they might take control of the NLCS with a 4-0 lead early in Game 2. The Padres didn’t go quietly, Brandon Drury and Josh Bell hit back-to-back solo shots in the 2nd inning to cut the deficit in the half. In the 5th, it was a five-run blitz that put the Friars on top, 7-4. Manny Machado added an insurance homer in the 8th, and San Diego is back in the series. Padres starter Blake Snell got the win despite giving up the four early runs while Phillies ace Aaron Nola gave up seven runs before getting yanked in the 5th. It’s all square heading back to Philadelphia. Series Tied (1-1)

 

ALCS Gm 1: Astros def. Yankees (4-2)

The Astros are still perfect in the postseason. One night after the Yankees booked their trip to the ALCS, they traveled to Houston to face the all-time postseason strikeout leader in Justin Verlander. JV was throwing heat in Game 1. He tossed 11 Ks over six innings while giving up just three hits and one run on a Harrison Bader homer. The Astros got three jacks from the trio of Jeremy Pena, Yuli Gurriel, and Chas McCormick. The storied AL rivalry has all the feels of another epic chapter, and it continues with Game 2 tonight. HOU Leads Series (1-0)

 

Tonight’s Schedule

ALCS Gm 2: Yankees at Astros (7:37 pm ET)

 

Additional Storylines

B/R: Padres Offense Impresses MLB Twitter in NLCS Game 2

USA Today: Astros Slug 3 HRs to Back Verlander’s Gem in ALCS Game 1

SI: Aaron Nola & Austin Nola Make MLB History as First Brothers in Hitter-Pitcher Matchup in Postseason

 

Photo: Harry How / Getty Images