MLB playoffs: Astros and Braves win to move to brink of World Series

• Houston win 9-1 in Game 5 on strength of big sixth inning
• Braves blast 4 HRs, beat Dodgers 9-2 for 3-1 lead in NLCS

Framber Valdez was perfect through four, took a two-hit shutout into the seventh and became the first pitcher in the 2021 postseason to finish eight innings on Wednesday as the Houston Astros beat Boston 9-1 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series and moved one win from another trip to the World Series.

Yordan Alvarez had three hits and three RBIs for Houston, which can clinch its third pennant in five years with a victory in Game 6 at home on Friday night. The Red Sox need a win to force a deciding seventh game on Saturday.