Rangers score 3 to chase Javier in 1st inning of Game 7
The Texas Rangers wasted no time in Game 7 of the ALCS by scoring three runs on four hits against Houston Astros starter Cristian Javier, chasing the right-hander from the do-or-die contest after just one-third of an inning.
Phil Maton took over for Javier and got out of the inning without allowing another run.
Javier was rocked early when the second batter of the game, Corey Seager, launched a 440-foot home run into the second deck that put Texas ahead 1-0.
Corey Seager's #ALCS Game 7 opening statement: pic.twitter.com/TIutk3QN5q
— MLB (@MLB) October 24, 2023
After walking Evan Carter, Javier gave up an RBI single to Adolis García off the short left-field wall. García then stole second base and came around to score on Mitch Garver's base hit.
Javier is only the fourth pitcher to record one or fewer outs in a Game 7 and the first since the Cubs' Hank Borowy failed to retire a batter in the final game of the 1945 World Series, per Stathead. Borowy's Cubs lost that game, but the other two pitchers on this list - Pittsburgh's Vic Aldridge in 1925, and the Senators' Curly Ogden in 1924 - saw their teams come back to win after their early exits.
teams are 3-8 in postseason history when their SP goes less than an inning in a winner-take-all game
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 24, 2023
the wins:
2017 ALWCG Yankees
1925 WS G7 Pirates
1924 WS G7 Senators
Javier came into the Game 7 start sporting a lifetime 2.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP with 60 strikeouts across 43.1 postseason innings.
Houston got one run back off Rangers starter Max Scherzer in the bottom of the first courtesy of José Abreu's RBI single.
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