Astros Clinch World Series Berth With ALCS Win Over Yankees

The Astros advanced to their second World Series in franchise history last night with a 4-0 win over the Yankees in ALCS Game 7, a victory that "served as validation" for the club's "dark years" from '11 to '14. It also "lifted up a city that will long be recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey." The Astros last night were "backed by the most boisterous crowds of the season" at Minute Maid Park (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/22). 

Fans "showed up wearing the eye-popping orange gear that Owner Jim Crane reinstalled as the team colors" in '13, and "even though they had plastic fan-like noisemakers, it was sheer lung power that rocked the house." The sound level as measured down the third-base line "hit 109 decibels after" DH Evan Gattis' home run in the 4th inning (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/22).

Minutes after winning the AL pennant, new merchandise "went on sale at astros.com," and the apparel also is "available in sporting goods stores around" Houston (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/22).