NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees will live to play another day in the American League Championship Series after a bit of first-inning magic secured a 4-1 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 5 to send the MLB playoffs series back to Texas.
The Bronx Bombers' bats woke up after a three-game slump, with DJ LeMahieu and Aaron Hicks hitting two first-inning home runs against Astros ace Justin Verlander to build a three-run lead they would never relinquish. It was the first time that Verlander, 4-0 in seven previous October starts against the Yanks, gave up two home runs in the first inning in his postseason career.