The game was over. O-V-E-R. All the Yankees had to do was retire the Astros' eight and nine hitters, then keep one of their fearsome sluggers off the bases while holding a five-run lead. But, of course, you've seen Yankees-Astros before. It went haywire quickly.
Both Victor Caratini and Taylor Trammell notched hits against David Bednar, and one of them had his bat confiscated in a pointless pause. Jeremy Peña was robbed by a leaping Anthony Volpe, but the door was open. Yordan Álvarez reached. Jose Altuve reached. Carlos Correa, with the bases juiced, faced a 3-1 pitch.