ALCS Game 6: Scoring updates, videos & more. Rangers beat Astros 9-2, force Game 7

Josh Heim, Mitch Garver and Adolis Garcia hit home runs to back another strong pitching effort from Nathan Eovaldi to lead the Texas Rangers to a 9-2 win on Sunday over the Houston Astros to force Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. The two teams are tied with three wins each heading into Game 7 at Minute Maid Field on Monday night.

The visiting team has won each of the first six games of the series.

On Monday, Eovaldi won his second game of the series when hea llowed two runs in 6.1 innings. Garver put the Rangers ahed with a solo home run in the second inning and Heim hit a two-run home run in the fourth to put the Rangers ahead 3-1. Garcia smacked a grand slam in the ninth for the big comfortable margin.

Scoring updates and big plays (in reverse chronological order):

Adolis Garcia sends a message

Texas extends their lead to 9-2 the ninth when the Houston bullpen implodes. The Rangers load the bases on a walk, a Jose Altuve error and a Marcus Semien single off the Astros’ Rafael Montero. Ryne Stanek enters the game and immediately hits Corey Seager with a pitch, forcing in a run and a 5-2 Rangers lead. After Evan Carter strikes out, Adolis Garcia hits a grand slam for a 9-2 lead.

Houston goes quietly in the ninth inning as the Rangers hold on for the 9-2 win and headed to Game 7 on Monday.

Astros load bases with one out, can’t score

In the bottom of the eighth, Josh Sborz still on the mound for the Rangers. Alex Bergman walks to open the inning. Yordan Alvarez strikes out swinging, Jose Abreu singles to left, moving Bergman to second base. With Kyle Tucker due up, the Rangers bring in Jose Leclerc to pitch. Leclerc walks Tucker to load the bases. Mauricio Dubon lines out to short. Bases remain loaded, two outs, with Jon Singleton pinch hits for Jeremy Pena. With a full count, Singleton strikes out. Headed to the ninth, Rangers lead 4-2

Rangers extend their lead to 4-2

Evan Carter leads off the eighth with an infield single and steals second base. Adolis Garcia strikes out (third time tonight), Mitch Garver then rips a run-scoring double (his third hit of the game). Jonah Heim flied out to left, then Nathan Lowe struck out. Rangers lead 4-2.

Rangers threaten, but don’t score in seventh

With one out, Josh Jung walked. Another out later, Marcus Semien singled. With runners on first and second and two outs, Corey Seager hits a grounder to first. No runs. Rangers hold 3-2 lead headed to bottom of seventh.

The Astros chase Nathan Eovaldi with a one-out Jose Altuve single. Enter reliever Josh Sborz who induces Michael Brantley to bounce into a 4-6-3 double play. Rangers lead 3-2 headed to the eighth.

Astros pull within one

After the Rangers go quietly in the top of the sixth, the Astros score once in the bottom of the inning. After opening the inning with back-to-back singles by Yordan Alvarez and Jose Abreu, Mauricio Dubon hits a one-out sacrifice fly. Rangers lead 3-2 headed to the seventh.

Quiet fifth

Neither team seriously threatened in the fifth inning. Headed to sixth, Rangers hold 3-1 lead. Astros have not had a hit off Nathan Eovaldi since first inning.

Heim homer gives Rangers the lead

Jonah Heim’s two-run homer, just over the glove of right fielder Kyle Tucker, gives the Rangers a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth.

Astros go 1-2-3 in the fourth. Headed to the fifth with Rangers up 3-1.

Garver ties game with HR

Mitch Garver smacked a solo home run on the first pitch of the second inning off Framber Valdez to tie the game. RANGERS 1, ASTROS 1

Nathan Eovaldi retires the Astros in order in the second.

Astros grab early lead

Yordan Alvarez continues his torment of Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi. Alvarez’ single drives in Jose Altuve with the game’s first run. in the first inning Alvarez is 10 for 14 against Eovaldi. Jose Altuve opened the game with a single to right, stole second base and scored on Alvarez’ hit. ASTROS 1, RANGERS 0

The Rangers didn’t threaten in the first. A lead off walk to Marcus Semien was wasted as next three Rangers were retired.

Rangers lineup

Today’s schedule

4:10 p.m.—Astros batting practice

5:10 p.m.—Rangers batting practice

6:50 p.m.—National Anthem

7:03 p.m.—First pitch, Rangers vs. Astros

Pregame reading

Rangers starter: Nathan Eovaldi will be looking to extend the series

Mac Engel: Don’t blame the roof or the umpires for Rangers’ Game 5 loss

The controversy: What exactly happened when Adolis Garcia was hit by a pitch in Game 5?

The reliever: Can the Rangers’ reliever Jose LeClerc bounce back from tough loss?