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Astros avoid elimination with narrow Game 4 victory vs. Rays

Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Houston Astros live to see another day.

After losing three straight games to the Tampa Bay Rays to kick off the American League Championship Series, the Astros bounced back with a Game 4 victory, beating the AL's top seed 4-3 to avoid the sweep.

Zack Greinke earned the win, his first in the playoffs since 2015. The veteran right-hander allowed two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out seven in six innings of work.

In the sixth inning with one out, it seemed as though veteran skipper Dusty Baker would remove Greinke and turn to Ryan Pressly, who already started descending the bullpen stairs. The former Cy Young winner just gave up back-to-back singles with Randy Arozarena coming up and representing the go-ahead run. Greinke struck out Arozarena and allowed another single to Ji-Man Choi before sitting down Mike Brosseau on strikes to strand the bases loaded.

Pressly got the final three outs for the save after relieving Cristian Javier in the ninth inning following a leadoff walk to Choi.

Rays starter Tyler Glasnow was hit with the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits - including a pair of homers - and two walks while striking out five in six innings.

Jose Altuve opened the scoring with a home run in the first inning for the third time this series. George Springer later tacked on two runs in the fifth inning with a massive shot onto the Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field.

The Rays hold a 3-1 series lead with Game 5 slated for Thursday at 5:07 p.m. ET. The Astros will continue to act as the home team at Petco Park in San Diego.

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