Record-setting Adolis Garcia carries Rangers past Astros into World Series

Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Adolis Garcia homered twice and drove in five runs to lead the Texas Rangers to an 11-4 win over the Houston Astros in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, clinching the first ticket to the World Series.

The star outfielder homered in the third and eighth innings of the 11-4 triumph Monday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. His Game 7 performance pushed his ALCS RBI total to 15, the most ever recorded for a single postseason series. He received ALCS MVP honors for his efforts.

"When you wake Adolis up, you better be careful," catcher Jonah Heim told MLB.com. "You're playing with fire there."

Shortstop Corey Seager went 3 for 5 with a home run, RBI and two runs scored for the Rangers.

The Rangers will compete for their first World Series title. They will face the Philadelphia Phillies or Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale.

"We're not done yet," third baseman Josh Jung told reporters. "Let's go get four more."

Seager put the Rangers on the board in Game 7, smashing a 1-0 fastball off starter Cristian Javier to right center field for a 440-foot solo homer in the second at-bat of the night.

Garcia doubled the lead with an RBI single two at-bats later. Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver followed with another RBI single to center for a 3-0 lead.

Astros first baseman Jose Abreu hit an RBI single to left in the bottom of the inning, cutting into the deficit. Garcia answered with a 368-foot solo homer to lead off the third.

Third baseman Alex Bregman responded with a 393-foot solo shot in the bottom of the inning, but the Rangers then posted a four-run fourth to break the game open.

Left fielder Evan Carter started the surge with a two-run double in the fifth at-bat of the frame. Garcia singled in the next at-bat, pushing the lead to 8-2.

Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe added a 358-foot, two-run homer in the sixth for an eight-run edge.

Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hit an RBI single in the seventh, but Garcia smashed a 340-foot solo shot in the next half-inning to push the Rangers lead back to eight.

Veteran second baseman Jose Altuve was responsible for the final run of the night -- and of the Astros postseason. He hit the first pitch of the bottom of the ninth to left field for a 363-foot solo homer.

Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer allowed four hits and two runs over 2 2/3 innings. Jordan Montgomery allowed three hits and no runs over 2 1/3 innings in relief of the Rangers starter. Relief pitchers Josh Sborz, Aroldis Chapman and Jose Leclerc combined to allow five hits and two runs over the final four innings.

Javier allowed four hits and three runs in 1/3 innings. Alvarez went 3 for 4 with an RBI and a walk. Altuve, Bregman and Abreu recorded two hits apiece.

The Phillies (3-3) will host the Diamondbacks (3-3) to determine the Rangers' World Series foe in Game 7 of the NLCS at 8:07 p.m. EDT Monday in Philadelphia.