Cole leads Astros past Yankees 4-1 to take 2-1 ALCS lead

By Mike Fitzpatrick The Associated Press

5 years ago

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve celebrates after scoring on a wild pitch during the seventh inning ... — Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve celebrates after scoring on a wild pitch during the seventh inning in Game 3 of baseball’s American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Houston Astros’ Josh Reddick (22) reacts after hitting a solo home run against the New York Yankees during the second inning of Game 3 of baseball’s American League Championship Series, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Houston Astros relief pitcher Will Harris (36) motions to teammates at the end of the eighth inning of Game 3 of baseball’s American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

NEW YORK — A gritty Gerrit Cole held the New York Yankees scoreless without his sharpest stuff, Jose Altuve sparked Houston at the plate and the Astros locked down a 4-1 victory Tuesday to take a 2-1 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Altuve and Josh Reddick homered early off Luis Severino, who labored into the fifth while keeping the Yankees close. But they never broke through against Cole, who went seven innings to win his 19th straight decision despite walking five batters for the second time in his career.

Cole pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the first and stranded nine runners through five, improving to 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA in three outings this postseason. Poised to become a prized free agent this fall who could command more than $200 million, he’s putting together a dominant run that’s beginning to rival some of baseball’s greatest October pitching performances.

The 29-year-old right-hander, unbeaten in 25 starts since his last loss on May 22, allowed four hits and struck out seven. That ended a streak of 11 consecutive games with double-digit strikeouts — the previous big league record was eight. Cole led the majors in strikeouts this season.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven playoff is scheduled for Wednesday night — but that could change. The gloomy weather forecast calls for a substantial storm with steady-to-heavy rain and wind all night in New York, potentially forcing a postponement that would likely alter pitching plans for both teams.