Astros Stave Off Elimination in ALCS Game 6

HOUSTON (AP) - Justin Verlander and Jose Altuve have helped the Houston Astros force a Game 7 in the American League Championship Series.

Verlander pitched seven shutout innings and Altuve drove in three runs as the Astros beat the Yankees, 7-1 in Houston to tie the series at three games apiece.

Verlander baffled the Yanks for the second time in the series, holding them to five hits while striking out eight over the first seven frames. The veteran right-hander tossed a complete game in earning a 2-1 victory in Game 2.

Altuve's two-run single put the Astros ahead 3-0 in the fifth inning, three batters after Brian McCann doubled home the game's first run. McCann also hit an RBI single in a four-run ninth after Altuve sparked the rally with a homer.

Yankees starter Luis Severino was lifted after Altuve's fifth-inning single. Severino carried a one-hit shutout into the fifth before faltering.

Game 7 is Saturday in Houston. CC Sabathia is scheduled to start for New York against Charlie Morton in a rematch of Game 3, won 8-1 by Sabathia and the Yankees.