The Rangers, for the first time since 2011, will head to the World Series, and they clinched their spot with a commanding Game 7 victory against the Astros on Monday.
And at the center of their decisive 11-4 victory — just like he has been all series — was Adolis Garcia.
He went 4-for-5, launched two home runs and drove in five RBI, increasing his series total to five and 15, respectively.
Max Scherzer only pitched into the third inning for the Rangers, but manager Bruce Bochy turned to Jordan Montgomery and three other relievers to preserve their lead — and make sure the Rangers’ offensive burst wasn’t accompanied by a counter from the reigning World Series champions.
The Rangers won all four of their games in the ALCS at Minute Maid Park, and this time, they scored three runs in the first inning and chased Cristian Javier after the Astros’ starter recorded just one out.
They added another one in the third and four more in the fourth, while the Astros couldn’t string together runs to mount any type of comeback against the Rangers’ bullpen.
But, of course, Garcia stole the spotlight with his performance.
He was at the center of the Game 5 incident when Bryan Abreu plunked him and the benches cleared, but Garcia responded by hitting a grand slam in the ninth inning Sunday before following with his four-hit night in Game 7.