Adolis Garcia capped a five-run second with a three-run homer and the Texas Rangers rolled to a 7-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles to complete an AL Division Series sweep on Tuesday.
Corey Seager got Texas started with a first-inning home run against Dean Kremer and the Rangers knocked the Baltimore starter out in the second.
Nathaniel Lowe also went deep for the Rangers, who are perfect in five games this postseason and will face either Houston or Minnesota in the ALCS.
Nathan Eovaldi allowed one run and five hits over seven innings, striking out seven while throwing 76 of his 98 pitches for strikes.
Jose Leclerc got the final four outs, the first one with the bases loaded in the eighth when he induced an inning-ending groundout by Aaron Hicks.
The Orioles won an AL-best 101 games and were never swept during the regular season, but gave up 18 runs in losing the final two games.
Lowe battled Kremer in a 15-pitch at-bat to lead off the second before lining out.
Singles by Josh Jung and Marcus Semien put runners on the corners with two outs. After Seager was intentionally walked to load the bases, Mitch Garver stroked a two-run double before Garcia’s homer to left made it 6-0.
Astros rout Twins, take 2-1 ALDS lead
Jose Abreu’s three-run homer keyed a four-run first inning, he added a two-run blast in the ninth and the Houston Astros routed the Minnesota Twins 9-1 to take a 2-1 series lead.
Yordan Alvarez continued his red-hot start by going 3 for 5 with a solo home run – his fourth of the series – and two doubles. He became the 11th player in history to homer in each of his first three games of a single postseason.
Alex Bregman had a pair of hits, including a solo home run, and two RBIs.
The Astros pounced early on Minnesota starter Sonny Gray, who gave up five runs and eight hits in four innings.
Cristian Javier pitched five shutout innings for Houston, allowing just one hit but walking five batters.
The Astros can clinch the series Wednesday with a win, sending them to the ALCS for the seventh straight year.