The Houston Astros certainly played like the reigning World Series champions on Tuesday night at Target Field, taking down the Minnesota Twins 9-1 to take a 2-1 series lead in the American League Division Series.
Houston’s offense was electric, posting 14 hits coupled with home runs from Alex Bregman, Yordan Álvarez and José Abreu, who hit two out of the park in the win.
However, starting pitcher Cristian Javier arguably impressed the most, striking out nine batters and allowing just one hit in five innings before being relieved by Hunter Brown. He also walked five batters.
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
Cristian Javier strikes out Correa to get out of the jam! 💪
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/WQW5i8qtjI
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
ICE IN HIS VEINS ❄️
Cristian Javier gets out of a bases loaded jam!!
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JVpSDedZM2
FOX Sports: MLB @MLBONFOX
Ump Cam of Carlos Correa’s at-bat against Cristian Javier in the first inning 😯
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/nP8fz5fbrw
Javier became just the fourth pitcher in postseason history with at least three straight scoreless starts of at least five innings, joining Whitey Ford, Kenny Rogers and Christy Mathewson, per MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
The 26-year-old is also the only Astros player in franchise history with no earned runs allowed and nine or more strikeouts in a postseason start on the road. He also accomplished the feat in Game 4 of the 2022 World Series.
Baseball fans were hyped up for Javier’s performance, which helped put the Astros one step closer to the ALCS:
MLB Deadline News @MLBDeadlineNews
Cristian Javier is a textbook example of how important it is to have swing-and-miss stuff in October.
He constantly found himself in jams today and got out of every single one of them with strikeouts.
Strikeouts limit randomness.
An INCREDIBLE outing. pic.twitter.com/lycdYZADTZ
Maanav Gupta @MGSportsTalk
COLD BLOODED
Cristian Javier is cool, calm & collected.
5 IP
0 R
1 H
9 K’s, including Correa early, & back to back w/bases full. K’d Lewis 3 times
Excellent use of breaking pitches & strong fastball🔥
El Reptil is made for #Postseason #Astros #Ready2Reignpic.twitter.com/J908m9Lu4x
Jeremy Branham @JeremyBranham
Big game Javi.
Cristian Javier drops his playoff era to 1.91 in 37.2 innings.
He has NEVER allowed a run in his 3 postseason starts, which covers 16.1 innings.
Post SZN MVPnav 🤘🏽⚾️🎃👻🍁 @PNav57
What a gutsy performance from Cristian Javier…what a call by Dusty to go with him there…LFG!!!!!
ACE CRISTIAN JAVIER 🇵🇷 @sportynory
MY. ACE. https://t.co/fjHOw64D2U
Matthew @ThisIsMatthew97
Cristian Javier performance was the definition of bend don’t break.
obese cursed stros :/ @footballer_503
Build Cristian Javier a statue outside minute maid park 🦎☕🙏 pic.twitter.com/dNEyJshvmM
PostSZN Mario 🐐🏆🏆✭ @TheRealMCortez
Thank you Cristian Javier! #Ready2Reign #ElReptil🦎 pic.twitter.com/MYcTDIAeeD
Mike Zimmelman @MZimmel
Cristian Javier stepping up big time after the Framber Valdez DISASTER on Sunday is such a great sight. #Ready2Reign
Daniel Cabrera @mrDanielCabrera
Cristian Javier is that dude.
Javier will now get some much-earned rest as the Astros try to close out the ALDS on Wednesday afternoon at Target Field to avoid a do-or-die Game 5 at Minute Maid Park on Friday.
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