In a game marked by drama and determination, the Houston Astros emerged victorious against the New York Mets, securing a 10-5 win in an 11-inning thriller at Citi Field. The contest wasn't just lengthy by innings, but also eventful as it witnessed the second career ejection of Astros' star Jose Altuve.
Altuve Ejected in the Seventh
Jose Altuve's frustration reached a boiling point during the seventh inning. What appeared to be a foul ball off his left foot was ruled an inning-ending groundout. The call prompted an irate reaction from Altuve, who tossed his bat and helmet in denouncement of the decision.
"They didn't see it," Altuve commented post-game. "I understand the guy behind the plate didn't see it because the catcher's there, but you have another three guys -- first, second, and third. I felt like it was kind of obvious. That's why I was so mad."
The call by crew chief Alan Porter stood firm, not subject to video replay review, leaving a lingering sense of injustice for the Astros' second baseman. Notably, this marks only the second ejection in Altuve's illustrious major league career, the first being on August 6, 2016, against the Texas Rangers.
Game Takes Dramatic Turn in Extra Innings
Despite the tension, the Astros maintained their composure and focus, pushing the game into extra innings. Houston's resolve paid off extravagantly in the 11th inning with a burst of offensive firepower. Jake Meyers led the charge with a go-ahead single off Mets reliever Matt Festa.
Meyers' sentiment reflected the team's determination. "It was a goal to get to .500 before the All-Star break. It kind of shows that we've been grinding through the season, ups and downs," he said.
Following Meyers, Joey Loperfido contributed a two-run single, and Trey Cabbage sealed the Mets' fate with a two-run double, ensuring the Astros finished the inning firmly ahead. This offensive onslaught lifted the Astros' record to 42-41, marking the first time this season they have been above the .500 mark.
Season of Struggles and Resurgence
The victory was not just a win but a testament to the Astros' resurgence this season. The team had a dismal start, opening the season with a 7-19 record and sitting at 12-24 before May 9. However, June saw a significant turnaround with the Astros compiling an impressive 17-8 record.
Bench coach Joe Espada acknowledged the ups and downs but remained confident in the team's potential throughout. "I never lost faith in this group. I know that we were down, but we were not out, and I'm not surprised that we are where we are," Espada reflected.
James Jean, who was umpiring behind the plate for the first time after his major league debut days earlier, witnessed the heated encounter. The role of a new umpire in such a critical moment added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Espada supported Altuve's reaction on what many felt was a clear foul ball. "The ball kind of took a different direction once it hit the ground, to Vientos. And [if] someone was going to get out of the box, second and third, and beat a ball out at first base, it's Jose Altuve. So if he's arguing, that ball hit him. And it looked like the ball hit him to me," Espada stated.
Altuve's Performance and Outlook
Despite the ejection, Altuve's current season stats remain stellar with a .304 batting average, 13 homers, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. His standout performance continues to drive the Astros' offensive capabilities and offers optimism for the remainder of the season.
As the Astros push through the mid-season grind, their ability to overcome early struggles and galvanize in critical moments like these spells promising prospects. With players like Altuve and Meyers leading the charge, Houston's resilience stands as a testament to their season's narrative of redemption and relentless pursuit of success.