LOS ANGELES – Carlos Correa hit a go-ahead, three-run homer after Michael Brantley’s two-run shot in the fourth inning, helping the Houston Astros beat the Oakland Athletics 11-6 on Thursday to clinch their home-run heavy AL Division Series in four games.Correa drove in five as the Astros — October villains to many a year after their sign-stealing scandal was exposed — advanced to the AL Championship Series for the fourth consecutive season.It will be their first ALCS under Dusty Baker, their 71-year-old manager.
Baker earned his first closeout win since the 2003 NL Division Series and improved to 4-13 in closeouts.“It’s been a long, tough road, but we’re halfway there,” Baker said.