With a trip to the ALCS on the line, Gerrit Cole was dominant on the mound and the Houston Astros eliminated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 at Minute Maid Park.

Cole struck out 10 over eight innings. He allowed just two hits, one of which was a solo home run by Eric Sogard in the second inning.

The Astros got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first with an RBI single by Jose Altuve, a two-run double by Alex Bregman and a Yuli Gurriel RBI knock.

With the game already in hand, Altuve and Michael Brantley homered in the eighth to give the Astros some insurance runs.

Tyler Glasnow struggled for the Rays, allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings. He surrendered five hits and struck out three. After the game, he told reporters he felt he was tipping pitches on the mound.

The Astros will open the ALCS by hosting the New York Yankees on Saturday night.