The Houston Astros had taken the first game of their American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday behind a dominant performance by veteran ace Justin Verlander.
They had a chance to take a 2-0 lead on Sunday behind co-ace Framber Valdez.
However, the Twins’ offense and their ace Pablo Lopez had other plans in mind.
Lopez pitched an absolute gem on Sunday and the Twins struck back in the series, tying it at one win apiece.
MLB on FOX posted details of Lopez’s incredible game on their Twitter account.
Pablo López was dominant through 7 shutout innings tonight against the Astros 🔥😤 pic.twitter.com/9dxhHR5OFf
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 9, 2023
The right-hander pitched seven scoreless innings with just six hits and a walk.
He struck out seven Astros, and became the first pitcher to hold Houston scoreless for seven innings or more in a playoff game since Freddy Garcia did it in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series.
The Astros weren’t in the American League back then.
Mixing in an impressive upper-90s fastball with sinkers, changeups, and his most recent pitch, the sweeper, Lopez kept Astros hitters at bay all night long.
The only damage against the Twins came via a Yordan Alvarez home run off Brock Stewart in the eighth inning.
The Twins, on the other hand, scored five runs off Valdez, who couldn’t complete five frames.
Former Astros star and postseason hero Carlos Correa went 3-for-4 with three RBI for the Twins, and infielder Kyle Farmer hit a home run.
The two squads will return to the field on Tuesday, when they play Game 3 at Target Field in Minnesota.
NEXT: Twins Name Surprising Game 1 Starter For AL Division Series