Texas Rangers crush Houston Astros in Game 7

By Kevin Dotson, CNN

The Texas Rangers defeated the Houston Astros 11-4 in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series Monday to win the American League pennant.

The Rangers advance to the World Series for the third time in franchise history and the first time since 2011.

The Rangers jumped all over the Astros from the start, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. The Rangers busted the game open with a four-run fourth inning to expand their lead to 8-2.

Texas right fielder Adolis García, who was at the center of a benches-clearing incident after being hit by a pitch in Game 5, was an easy choice for ALCS MVP. García went 4 for 5 at the plate Monday with two home runs and five RBIs. García cranked five home runs in the last four games of the series, homering in each game in that span to carry the Rangers to the American League crown.

All four of the Rangers’ wins in the series came on the road at Houston’s Minute Maid Park, where the Astros have struggled all season.

The Rangers will be seeking their first ever World Series championship after falling short in the franchise’s two previous appearances. The Rangers made it to back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011, losing to the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals respectively.

The Rangers will face the winner of the National League Championship Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies will host the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night in a winner-take-all Game 7 at Citizens Bank Park.

The World Series is scheduled to begin Friday in Arlington, Texas.