Convenience Big Store: 'An incredible game.' How Astros won Game 5 of ALCS

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Today's starting lineup

Where do we start with the Astros' dramatic 5-4 win over the Rangers to take a 3-2 lead in the ALCS?

There's no better place than Jose Altuve. He hit the winning 3-run homer in the top of the ninth. "This dude is one of the baddest dudes I've ever seen," Astros manager Dusty Baker said. "And I've seen some greats."

His teammates offered theories as to Altuve's history of coming through in the clutch. "Slow heartbeat," Alex Bregman said. "The game's slow for him. He's just incredible. I feel like I lose the words to say about him. Because it's something new all the time."

But before Altuve could hit his homer, a pair of pinch hitters had to get on base. The story of Yanier Diaz and Jon Singleton.

And once the Astros had the lead, Ryan Pressly had to pitch the ninth and the top of the Texas lineup. It was a six-out save because Pressly had gotten Houston out of a jam in the eighth.

All of the dramatics started after bad feelings spilled over in the eighth when Bryan Abreu hit Adolis García with a pitch. Both were ejected along with Baker. García had given the Rangers a 4-2 lead with a 3-2 homer off Justin Verlander that included an extremely celebratory trot around the bases.

While Friday's win was the latest and greatest in a long stretch for the Astros, it doesn't guarantee the Astros anything, Jerome Solomon reminds us.

Game 6 is Sunday at Minute Maid. Perhaps we can all catch our breath by then.

Stat of the day: 26. Career postseason home runs by Jose Altuve, second in MLB history to Manny Ramirez.

Reid Laymance
Sports editor
reid.laymance@houstonchronicle.com

ALCS: Astros vs. Rangers

Houston Astros third base coach Gary Pettis, left, gives Jose Altuve a high-five after his three-run home run gave the team a 5-4 lead in the ninth inning of Game 5 during the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Arlington.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

'Slow heartbeat' makes Jose Altuve tick in clutch

A game-winning home run in Game 5 of the ALCS was just the latest in a line of heroics that keeps the second baseman's teammates in awe.

'An incredible game': A game that had some of everything, the Astros found a way to win.
Latest and greatest: Texas thought it had the upper hand thanks to Adolis García's three-run homer. Then Jose Altuve followed with one of his own. But this series is by no means over.
Basebrawl: Things got heated between the Astros and Rangers when Adolis Garcia was hit by a pitch a couple innings after he hit a go-ahead home run.
To the rescue: Ryan Pressly said it'd be pretty exciting to pitch against his hometown Rangers. He probably couldn't have anticipated the white-knuckle moments he'd have to navigate in the Astros' Game 5 win.
The other side: The Rangers are a franchise that's no stranger to postseason heartbreak. The Astros dealt them their latest gut-punch defeat in stunning fashion in Game 5 of the ALCS.
The game: Take a look back at Game 5 from start to finish.
Revitalized: Originally a starter with the Mets, Rafael Montero was shifted to bullpen by Rangers in move that turned his career around

College Football / UH vs. Texas

Houston quarterback Donovan Smith (1) avoids the rush from West Virginia defensive lineman Fatorma Mulbah (54) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

The Cougars view

What to look for from the Cougars against the Longhorns.

The Longhorns view: What to watch from a Longhorns perspective as Texas plays for first time since loss to OU.

Rockets / NBA

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, left, and head coach Ime Udoka, right, talk during a timeout during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Photo by: Michael Wyke/Associated Press

Preseason provides look at Houston's potential

The Rockets never looked better in the preseason than in Friday's second quarter, offering a glimpse of what could be possible.

Rockets 110, Heat 104: At their best on Friday, the Rockets rolled, running their offense sharply to good shots and defending well.
Getting ready: After missing two preseason games with a toe injury, Jalen Green ready for opener in Orlando

High School Football

Shadow Creek's Aaden Benjamin (15) steps in front of Dawson's Bryce Burgess (5) to intercept and return 100 yards for a touchdown to defeat Dawson in overtime of a high school football game at The Rig, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023 in Pearland.

Photo by: Kirk Sides/Staff Photographer

Shadow Creek earns win over Dawson in 2OT thriller

Aaden Benjamin returned an extra-point conversion pass 99 yards for two points, giving Shadow Creek a win over Dawson.

Cypress Falls 32, Cypress Springs 28: Golden Eagles rallied in fourth quarter to give Panthers their first loss.
Barbers Hill 56, Kingwood Park 14: Quarterback Kody Fuentes connected with seven different wide receivers and threw six touchdowns for the Eagles.
Episcopal 42, Kinkaid 35: Brandon Thomas scored five touchdowns, including the game-winner in the final minute.
Roundup: Tomball Memorial and Klein Collins are among the winners on Friday.
Scoreboard: Friday's scores from around the state and Houston area.