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    High school football: Scores from Thursday’s games, Oct. 19
    • October 20, 2023

    All of the scores from the high school football games played Thursday, Oct. 19.

    THURSDAY’S SCORES

    CIF-SS

    605 LEAGUE

    Cerritos 27, Artesia 7

    Glenn 28, Pioneer 17

    CITRUS BELT LEAGUE

    Cajon 32, Yucaipa 8

    DEL RIO LEAGUE

    La Serna 49, El Rancho 7

    DESERT SKY LEAGUE

    Adelanto 34, Victor Valley 27

    FOOTHILL LEAGUE

    West Ranch 56, Castaic 28

    GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

    Los Amigos 46, Bolsa Grande 14

    GOLDEN LEAGUE

    Quartz Hill 49, Littlerock 0

    INLAND VALLEY LEAGUE

    Moreno Valley 26, Valley View 7

    IRONWOOD LEAGUE

    Aquinas 50, Ontario Christian 30

    MISSION VALLEY LEAGUE

    El Monte 34, Mountain View 20

    MOUNTAIN PASS LEAGUE

    Tahquitz 44, Citrus Hill 6

    Liberty 49, Perris 6

    San Jacinto 48, West Valley 12

    MOUNTAIN WEST LEAGUE

    Bonita 35, Alta Loma 0

    Ayala 45, Charter Oak 10

    ORANGE LEAGUE

    Western 55, Century 0

    Anaheim 28, Savanna 21

    PACIFIC—UPPER LEAGUE

    Muir 37, Arcadia 0

    Burbank 34, Pasadena 6

    PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

    Irvine 20, Beckman 12

    RIVER VALLEY LEAGUE

    Norte Vista 28, Patriot 24

    SKYLINE LEAGUE

    Bloomington 47, Riverside Notre Dame 41

    TRINITY LEAGUE

    Mater Dei 55, Orange Lutheran 13

    NONLEAGUE

    Hemet 28, Paloma Valley 27

    L.A. CITY

    NORTHERN LEAGUE

    Los Angeles Wilson 42, Torres 0

    Franklin 42, Los Angeles Marshall 6

    Lincoln 49, Eagle Rock 47

    VALLEY MISSION LEAGUE

    Granada Hills Kennedy 55, Panorama 20

    Reseda 24, Canoga Park 23

    8-MAN

    CIF-SS

    Milken 53, Noli Indian 0

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    Los Amigos football rolls to win over Bolsa Grande, boosts league title and playoff hopes
    • October 20, 2023

    GARDEN GROVE — Los Amigos football coach Melo Guess said his team entered Thursday’s contest against Bolsa Grande with a “must-win” approach.

    The Lobos delivered with a resounding 46-14 victory over the Matadors in a Garden Grove League game at Bolsa Grande High.

    “We didn’t want to leave anything to chance next week (against Santiago),” Guess said. “We wanted to capitalize on this week, continue to get better and give ourselves a shot.”

    Los Amigos (5-4 overall) is 3-1 in league and still has a chance to earn a share of the league title. La Quinta is in first place at 3-0, and Rancho Alamitos (2-1 in league) is also in the title picture. The top three teams in the league standings will advance to the CIF-SS playoffs.

    “We would love a league title, we would love to share that deal or however it works itself out,” Guess added, “but playoffs is a big deal for us. CIF is our dream, trying to make a state run, and we’re in a good position to make all those things happen.”

    La Quinta has an important game against Rancho Alamitos on Friday, Oct. 20. A win by the Vaqueros could help the Lobos claim a share of the league title, which would give them back-to-back titles.

    “Tomorrow we’re hoping (for some help) and we’ll be rooting for those dudes,” Guess said, referring to Rancho Alamitos. “We’ll have our green and gold on tomorrow, for sure.”

    Los Amigos quarterback Maysen Navarro ran for 145 yards and a touchdown Thursday, and running back Pedro Hernandez rushed for 102 and two TDs.

    The Lobos ran for nearly 400 yards and six touchdowns as a team. Raul Cruz added a pair of scores and Isaac Galindo added a rushing touchdown.

    Los Amigos rattled off 39 consecutive points after falling behind 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.

    The game started with a frenetic pace and both teams scored on its first two possessions.

    Matadors quarterback Ethan Nguyen found Joseph Sangenito for a 5-yard TD pass to open the scoring, then Hernandez tied the game for Los amigos with a 6-yard TD run.

    Bolsa Grande (5-4, 2-2) took a 14-7 lead on an Eddie Zarate reverse, which came on fourth-down from the Lobos 26, but it would not get on the scoreboard again.

    Loa Amigos took a 15-14 lead after Cruz scored and the Lobos converted a 2-point conversion.

    Ethan Nguyen fumbled near midfield after a nice run on the Matadors next possession and Los Amigos took advantage as Galindo’s touchdown run on the Lobos next drive made it 23-14 after another 2-point conversion.

    Los Amigos picked off Nguyen just before halftime to end a potential scoring chance by Bolsa Grande.

    Matadors coach Michael Acosta believes the team’s goal of ending the season with a winning record is still attainable. The Matadors will face La Quinta in their season finale Friday, Oct. 27.

    “The main goal is finishing with a winning record for the season, first time since 1987,” Acosta said, “so it’s still the goal, still attainable. Playoffs will work itself out if we take care of business next week, it will work itself out.”

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    Mater Dei football rebounds from tough loss, beats Orange Lutheran handily
    • October 20, 2023

    COSTA MESA — Six days after getting shut out by St. John Bosco, Mater Dei played like it had something to prove Thursday.

    The Monarchs scored points on nine of their 10 possessions to beat Orange Lutheran 55-13 in a Trinity League football game at Orange Coast College.

    Mater Dei lost to St. John Bosco 28-0 last week in a battle of teams ranked among the top 5 nationally.

    Orange Lutheran running back Steve Chavez, center, stopped by a trio of Mater Dei defenders including linebacker Tanner Williams, left, in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Ajon Bryant (3) avoids a tackle by Orange Lutheran outside linebacker Talanoa Ili on his way to scoring a touchdown in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Nathaniel Frazier makes the catch and then proceeds to sprint to the end zone to score a touchdown against Orange Lutheran in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    A pass is just out of reach for Mater Dei wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, right, as Orange Lutheran defensive back Marcellous Ryan keeps pace in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei wide receiver Marcus Brown, left, beats Orange Lutheran defensive back Nico Marchello to make the touchdown catch in the opening minutes of the Trinity League game against Orange Lutheran in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Orange Lutheran quarterback Tj Lateef sees a receiver and fires a pass against Mater Dei in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Orange Lutheran quarterback Tj Lateef, left, is sacked by Mater Dei defensive lineman Semi Taulanga, right, in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Ajon Bryant scores a touchdown in the second quarter on a run agaisnt Orange Lutheran in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Ajon Bryant leaves Orange Lutheran defenders behind as he sprints toward the end zone to score a touchdown in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei running back Ajon Bryant sees an open field and runs toward the end zone against Orange Lutheran in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Mater Dei coach Frank McManus signals to his players during the Trinity League game against Orange Lutheran in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Orange Lutheran defensive back Ben Alefaio, left, steps in front of Mater Dei tight end Mark Bowman, center, to pick off a pass in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

    Orange Lutheran coach Rod Sherman talks with his players during a break in the action against Mater Dei in a Trinity League game in Costa Mesa on Thursday, October 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

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    Senior quarterback Elijah Brown completed 7 of 8 passes for 191 yards and four touchdowns.

    Mater Dei touchdowns were scored by Ajon Bryant on runs of 25 and 65 yards, Nathaniel Frazier on a 65-yard reception and on a 1-yard run, Marcus Brown on a 26-yard catch, Jonah Smith on a 9-yard reception, and Mark Bowman on a 45-yard reception. Joseph Gutierrez and Dominic Zante kicked field goals for the Monarchs.

    Mater Dei first-year head coach Frank McManus liked how his team recovered so well from last week’s loss.

    “I think there was a renewed focus, a reviewed energy after the guys got past the depression, all the angers you go through when you have a tough game,” McManus said. “I was really most happy with our execution.”

    Mater Dei junior linebacker Nasir Wyatt had three sacks, giving him nine sacks this season.

    Wyatt said Mater Dei saw Thursday’s game as an opportunity to reestablish its status.

    “Today was our statement game,” Wyatt said. “We definitely feel like we’re the best team, we still feel like we’re the No. 1 team in the country.”

    Mater Dei, No. 1 in the Orange County Top 25, is 8-1 overall and 3-1 in the Trinity League. The Monarchs are in second place league. Orange Lutheran, ranked No. 2 in the county, is 5-4 overall and 2-2 in league.

    Mater Dei concludes the regular season Friday, Oct. 27, with a league game at Santa Ana Stadium against Santa Margarita. Orange Lutheran plays St. John Bosco in a league game Friday, Oct. 27, at Orange Coast College to conclude the regular season.

    The Monarchs took a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, the scoring started with the Elijah Brown-to-Marcus Brown touchdown pass. Frazier’s 1-yard touchdown run was set up by Kainoa Davis’ fumble recovery on Orange Lutheran’s first offensive play. The Elijah Brown-to-Smith touchdown pass followed Jackson Campbell’s fumble recovery on an Orange Lutheran kickoff return.

    Early in the second quarter Elijah Brown threw a short pass to Frazier to his left, with Frazier showing the speed that makes him one of the county’s top 100-meter track athletes, blazing up the left sideline for the touchdown and a 28-0 lead.

    Bryant’s 25-yard touchdown run made it 35-0 and Zante kicked a 36-yard field goal on the final snap of the second quarter for a 38-0 halftime lead.

    Orange Lutheran running back Steve Chavez scored on a 36-yard run 90 seconds into the third quarter to make it 38-7.

    Elijah Brown threw his 45-yard touchdown pass to an uncovered Bowman, and Bryant bolted along the left sideline for an 83-yard touchdown run and a 52-7 lead.

    The fourth quarter, played with a running clock, started with Gutierrez’s 37-yard field goal and ended with Orange Lutheran’s Brayden Henson scoring on a 3-yard run.

    Orange Lutheran lost its league opener to JSerra 24-14. The Lancers then defeated Santa Margarita 28-21 and Servite 36-33.

    Mater Dei won its first two league games over Servite 49-0 and JSerra 42-0 before last week’s loss to St. John Bosco.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Irvine football uses another comeback to beat Beckman, clinch share of league title
    • October 20, 2023

    TUSTIN — Irvine’s football team erased a 12-point deficit to beat Beckman 20-12 Thursday and clinch a share of the Pacific Hills League championship.

    The Vaqueros most recently won a league championship in 2021. Thursday was the seventh game in which Irvine has trailed and its fourth comeback win.

    “We always start slow and I don’t know why,” Irvine coach Tom Ricci said. “I attribute it to my coaches making great adjustments at half and our players having a chip on their shoulder. We are a fourth-quarter team because our guys are in great shape and we played tough teams.”

    Irvine (6-3, 2-0) trailed 12-0 late in the third quarter when its running game really started to click. Junior running back Brandon Figueroa had 89 of his 96 rushing yards in the second half.

    “The mentality changed,” Figueroa said. “We knew we were losing because of internal mistakes and that they weren’t better than us.”

    Figueroa scored the first touchdown for Irvine late in the third quarter to cut the lead for Beckman (7-2, 1-1) to 12-7.

    Deacon Moss had a 31-yard punt return early in the fourth quarter to give Irvine good field position. Sophomore quarterback Sina Saferzadeh ran for a 9-yard touchdown to give Irvine the 13-12 lead.

    Thursday was only the third varsity start for Saferzadeh at quarterback and he threw only 10 passes in the team’s win over Woodbridge last week.

    Saferzadeh threw for just 43 yards Thursday, but the threat of him passing opened up the field for the running game to take over in the second half. He ran for 71 yards on eight carries.

    “He’s picking everything up and starting to understand what we want to do,” Ricci said of Saferzadeh. “He’s a dual threat who can run, pass and read defenses like a running back.”

    Figueroa ran for his second touchdown of the game midway through the fourth quarter to give the Vaqueros a 20-12 lead.

    Beckman attempted a potential game-tying drive in the fourth quarter. Austin Shepard threw a 10-yard pass to CJ Bertoni on a fake punt to extend the drive.

    Shepard completed two long passes to Dominic Thompson to give the Patriots the ball inside the Irvine 20.

    Jackson Shaffer and Moss deflected a fourth-down pass to seal the win.

    “My defensive coordinator, Kyle Jaeger, makes great adjustments at halftime,” Ricci said. “That’s part of why we feel so comfortable in the second half because we know he can fix things so quickly.”

    Beckman led 6-0 at halftime after two field goals by Gui De Luca. Shepard ran for a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter to increase the lead to 12-0.

    Shepard completed 13 of 34 passes for 141 yards. Thompson had 84 yards receiving on five catches. Beckman held Irvine to just 76 yards of offense in the first half.

    Irvine will host University on Friday, Oct. 27. A win would make the Vaqueros the outright league champions.

    “It feels amazing to be league champs,” Figueroa said. “I was a freshman when we won it in 2021 and it feels way better to be able to contribute to it this time.”

    Beckman will play on the road against Woodbridge on Friday, Oct. 27. The Patriots can still share the league championship with a win next week and an Irvine loss.

    Beckman has not won a league championship since 2011.

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    Aliso Niguel girls volleyball knocks off Corona del Mar in CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs
    • October 20, 2023

    NEWPORT BEACH — The Aliso Niguel girls volleyball team exploited its clear advantage at the net, got good defense from its back row and served well in a 25-16, 22-25, 25-15, 25-13 victory over Corona del Mar in an opening-round match in the CIF SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday at Corona del Mar High School.

    The unranked Wolverines (14-12), who finished in third place in the loaded South Coast League, will play No. 4 seed Orange Lutheran in a second-round match at Aliso Niguel on Saturday. Orange Luthera defeated Etiwanda in the first round Tuesday

    The Sea Kings, winners of the Wave League, finished 17-12.

    Aliso Niguel sophomore middle Jaslene Massey had four block assists and six kills in a four-set victory over Corona del Mar in the opening round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    Aliso Niguel sophomore middle Jaslene Massey had four block assists, six kills and partnered with Gabriella Green at the net to get touches on several of the Sea Kings’ kill attempts, making it easier for the players in the back row to dig balls and set up plays for teammates at the net.

    “We were able to spread out the blockers a bit,” Wolverines coach Richelle Whiting said. “So we got to isolate them (the Sea Kings) a little bit. We figured out where they wanted to set their outside and we were able to have two up on them every time.”

    Whiting also had plenty of praise for Rian Barr, who was also dominant from the middle position.

    Aliso Niguel’s Rian Barr had 12 kills and two blocks a victory over Corona del Mar in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    Barr finished with 12 kills, all but one coming from the middle, and assisted on two blocks.

    The senior delivered five kills in the fourth set, including kills for the 23rd and 24th points.

    “I feel like we really started off well,” Barr said. “We had that really good first set. We kind of struggled in the second set, but I really felt like that’s what made us turn around. If we didn’t lose that second set, I don’t think we would have won the next two, because that was a motivator for us.”

    Naveah Mendez had 10 kills from the left side of the net for the Wolverines.

    Aliso Niguel’s Naveah Mendez had 10 kills in a victory over Corona del Mar in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 2 playoffs on Thursday, Oct. 19. (Photo by Lou Ponsi)

    “I was really pumped up,” Massey said. “Since I’m a sophomore, it’s my first CIF playoffs really. Because last year, I was a freshman on varsity and didn’t really get to play.”

    Lauren Esquino led Corona del Mar with 14 kills, including seven in the second set, the only set won by the Sea Kings.

    The Sea Kings played without freshman outside hitter Sofia Dajnowiec, who was out sick and is one of the team’s best players.

    “We were a little out of sorts to start the game,” Sea Kings coach Baily Humes said. “We just kind of fell apart early. Our serve speed broke down. We were playing hard through the rallies, but I think we got a little flustered and kind of panicked. We just kind of looked like we weren’t ready to play.”

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    Trevor Lawrence delivers late and Jaguars hold off Saints
    • October 20, 2023

    By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer

    NEW ORLEANS — Travis Etienne ran for two touchdowns, Foyesade Oluokun returned an interception for a score, and Christian Kirk’s 44-yard touchdown after a short catch over the middle lifted the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 31-24 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.

    Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence returned from a sprained knee that forced him out of the final minutes of a victory over Indianapolis on Sunday and wound up leading Jacksonville (5-2) with 59 yards rushing. He also completed 20 of 29 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown to help the Jags win their fourth straight and give Jacksonville its best start since opening 5-2 in 2007.

    Kirk’s touchdown broke the tie with 3:08 left. The Saints (3-4) were in position to answer when they drove inside the Jacksonville 10-yard line in the final minute, but they stalled out with four straight incomplete passes.

    A third-down pass bounced off of New Orleans native Foster Moreau’s hands in the back of the end zone and a fourth-down timing throw to Chris Olave along the left sideline fell incomplete, ending the comeback bid.

    Jacksonville gave the Saints numerous chances to stay in the game, losing two fumbles in the first half and committing several untimely penalties throughout the game.

    It almost came back to haunt them.

    The Saints rallied from 24-9 down to tie the score on touchdowns by Taysom Hill on a 1-yard, fourth-down run and Michael Thomas on a 17-yard reception – the latter followed by Derek Carr’s pass to Alvin Kamara for a 2-point conversion.

    Carr finished 33 of 55 for 301 yards, and New Orleans outgained Jacksonville 407 yards to 330, but the Saints again struggled to finish promising drives in the end zone after losing in a similar fashion in Week 6 at Houston.

    After practicing on a limited basis this week and being listed as questionable, Lawrence completed five of his first six passes for 60 yards and even scrambled for 9 yards during a game-opening touchdown drive that ended with Etienne’s 2-yard run.

    New Orleans’ first drive ended with Blake Grupe’s missed 51-yard field goal attempt. But the Saints got the ball right back when Kirk was stripped by cornerback Paulson Adebo after a 19-yard catch at the New Orleans 40. Defensive end Carl Granderson, who was chasing the play, recovered for New Orleans.

    New Orleans punted three plays later, but Jacksonville turned it over again when Tevaughn Campbell, who was trying to block, collided hard with returner Jamal Agnew as Lou Hedley’s punt descended and hit Campbell’s back.

    Lonnie Johnson recovered for New Orleans, which stalled on the Jaguars’ 5 and settled for Grupe’s field goal.

    Etienne became the first player in Jaguars history to rush for two touchdowns in three consecutive games when he ran around the left end for a 17-yard score that made it 14-3.

    After their seventh third-down failure of the half, the Saints settled for another Grupe field goal to make it 14-6.

    In the final minutes of the half, Jacksonville converted a fake punt with punter Logan Cooke completing a 13-yard pass to Tim Jones on fourth-and-2, setting up Brandon McManus’ 43-yard field goal for a 17-6 halftime lead.

    INJURIES

    Jaguars: Safety Andre Cisco received attention on the field late in the third quarter but was able to walk off on his own.

    Saints: Carr appeared to finish the game in pain, but it was not immediately clear what was ailing him. … Alontae Taylor left the game briefly in the first quarter with an apparent cut on his nose and returned for the next series.

    UP NEXT

    The Jaguars travel to Pittsburgh on Oct. 29.

    The Saints visit Indianapolis on Oct. 29.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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    Beckman boys water polo solves late surprise by Portola in Pacific Coast League thriller
    • October 20, 2023

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    IRVINE — Dane Warren of Beckman shouted the surprising goalie switch to his fellow defenders as the Portola offense emerged from its timeout in the closing seconds of regulation Thursday.

    Trailing by one goal with 12 seconds left, reigning Orange County boys water polo coach of the year Kate Avery of Portola moved highly-scoring Ryder Tonkovich to goalie and then sent him across mid-pool to lead the Bulldogs’ 7-on-6 attack permitted the last few years under new rules.

    “Smart idea,” Beckman coach Tijmen Egtberts said.

    The Patriots’ defense was pretty clever, too.

    Beckman sent two defenders at Tonkovich as the ball quickly rotated back to the point, forcing the junior to pass the ball to his left. Zander Huynh anticipated the pass and grabbed the steal to seal the Patriots’ 12-11 victory at Portola High.

    “We had a defense prepared for a man-down like that,” Egtberts said, “so we knew what to do, and we ran it perfectly. … Just high-IQ defense.”

    Beckman capped its regular season in the Pacific Coast League with a 7-0 record and secured the No. 1 seed for the league tournament next week.

    Portola, the defending Pacific Coast champion, fell to 6-1 in league and will be the No. 2 seed.

    The CIF-SS Division 2 contenders exchanged friendly “See you next week” remarks during the postgame handshake.

    “Same time next week, I think we’ll go head to head for the league title at Woodbridge,” Avery said. “Beckman is a good team. They’ve got solid players. They’ve got great energy.”

    Portola, the runner-up last season in Division 3, also displayed those qualities as it chased Beckman in the fourth period.

    The Bulldogs trimmed a three-goal to one and a pair of two-goal deficits to a single goal. But Beckman senior Bradley Eisman scored the eventual game-winning goal by netting a perimeter shot with 2:58 left for a 12-10 lead.

    Eisman, who started the season on the junior varsity, scored both of his goals in the fourth from about 6 meters as he capitalized on Portola’s dropping defense.

    Tonkovich answered with his seventh goal on a power-play chance with 2:11 remaining but Beckman’s defense held from there.

    “The last three defensive possessions we had in this game was the best defense we’ve played all year,” Egtberts said. “If we do that, we win.”

    Goalie Vi Leus made six of his seven blocks in the second half for Beckman.

    AJ Sexton paced the Patriots’ offense with four goals while Eisman and Warren added two apiece.

    Portola goalie Asher Wettstein dueled with Leus by making six saves.

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    ALCS: Abreu, Alvarez, Altuve help Astros even series with Game 4 rout of Rangers
    • October 20, 2023

    By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer

    ARLINGTON, Texas — José Abreu hit a three-run homer right after Yordan Alvarez’s tiebreaking sacrifice fly, and the Houston Astros pulled even in the American League Championship Series with a 10-3 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 4 on Thursday night.

    Houston, which led 3-0 only four batters into the game, responded immediately after Texas got even on Corey Seager’s opposite-field homer in the third inning.

    Adolis García also homered for the wild-card Rangers, who have dropped two games in a row at home after starting this postseason with seven consecutive wins – six on the road – that included sweeps of the AL’s two winningest teams, Baltimore and Tampa Bay.

    Game 5 is Friday afternoon at Globe Life Field, where the Astros are 8-1 this season. This ALCS, in which the home team hasn’t led yet, then switches back to Houston for Game 6 on Sunday night.

    Jose Altuve had three hits and scored three times in his 100th career playoff game. Alvarez drove in three runs, giving him 13 RBIs already this postseason, and Chas McCormick added a two-run homer.

    Dane Dunning, who entered in relief in the first inning, had an 0-and-2 count against No. 9 batter Martin Maldonado to open the fourth with the score tied before walking him and then Altuve.

    Mauricio Dubón followed with his second soft single of the game before Alex Bregman struck out with the bases loaded. Rookie lefty Cody Bradford then came in to face Alvarez, whose 401-foot sacrifce fly to the warning track in center field came on the ninth pitch. Abreu then hit his fourth homer this postseason to make it 7-3.

    Ryne Stanek got the victory while throwing only one pitch, inducing Mitch Garver’s inning-ending double-play grounder in the third.

    The Astros have outscored Texas 74-32 in winning their last seven games at Globe Life. That includes their 8-5 win in Game 3 of the first postseason series between the instate AL West rivals.

    Altuve opened the game with a double and Dubón, after three hits in Game 3, followed with a bloop single off Andrew Heaney. Bregman drove both home with a triple into the right-center gap, and the Rangers already had Dunning up in the bullpen before Alvarez singled to make it 3-0.

    Seager became the first shortstop to homer in both the NLCS and ALCS with his 401-foot solo drive to left-center with one out in the third. Astros starter José Urquidy then gave up back-to-back singles before Stanek took over.

    The Rangers were down 7-3, but they had two on with no outs in the fifth when a finger of Marcus Semien’s batting glove was the difference between a lineout and a crucial double play. The Rangers baserunner was sliding back to the bag at first base after Abreu snagged Corey Seager’s 108.6 mph liner, lunging to tag Semien just as his hand reached the bag, and first base umpire Jordan Baker signaled safe.

    The Astros challenged, and the video review showed Abreu’s glove grazing one of the fingers on the batting glove in Semien’s back pocket as the finger popped into the air from the rear pocket. Texas had only two more baserunners after that play.

    BIG PRODUCTION

    Alvarez and Abreu are the first teammates in postseason history with at least four homers and 10 RBIs in a team’s first eight playoff games.

    SEAGER DINGERS

    Seager was with the Dodgers when they played 16 neutral-site playoff games at Globe Life Field while winning the World Series title in 2020. Seager was MVP in both the NLCS and World Series. He hit five homers in that seven-game NLCS, two in the World Series and has two here this postseason. He also went deep in their Game 3 AL Division Series clincher at home over Baltimore.

    UP NEXT

    Game 5 will be a rematch of the trade-deadline acquisitions who started the series opener. Rangers left-hander Jordan Montgomery threw 6⅓ innings in Game 1 as Texas won 2-0. Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander, who allowed both runs over six innings, will make his 21st career postseason start for the Astros. They got him back from the Mets after he made only 16 starts in New York this year after going there in free agency.

    FOR STARTERS

    It was the first time in Heaney’s 156 career starts (154 regular season and two postseason) that he didn’t make it out of the first inning. The left-hander was done after a two-out walk. He allowed five of the seven batters he faced to reach base. … Urquidy, who allowed three runs on five hits in 2⅓ innings, entered the game 5-0 with a 2.82 ERA in seven career starts against the Rangers.

    OPEN ROOF

    A game was played at Globe Life Field with the roof open for the first time in nearly five months. It was 78 degrees under clear skies when the game began. Texas was 7-4 during the regular season with the roof open, the last game being May 21. The roof was open for 13 of the 16 neutral-site postseason games in 2020, including three of the six World Series games.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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