In a game against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night, Jose Altuve smashed two home runs and scored four RBIs, contributing significantly to the Houston Astros’ victory with a score of 9-2. Additionally, Jeremy Peña achieved his milestone 500th career hit by hitting a triple during this match.
The game was knotted at two apiece heading into the bottom of the fourth inning when Jake Meyers hit a single off George Kirby (0-1). Following that, Cam Smith drew a walk. Then, Mauricio Dubón went on to score Meyers from third base after hitting a ground ball to right field, which gave Houston a 3-2 lead.
Peña subsequently drove two more runs home with a triple off the wall in left-center, making the score 5-2 and prompting Kirby’s departure from the game.
Altuve hit a solo home run with nobody out in the fifth inning, extending their advantage to 6-2. Later, he homered once more with runners on base and two outs in the sixth, making the score 8-2 and marking his 12th career multi-home-run game.
In a standout performance, Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. gave up five hits and two runs while recording a season-best eight strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings, marking his most extended outing of the season. Shawn Dubin (1-0) secured the victory by closing out the final two outs of the fifth inning.
In his first game of the season following time off due to inflammation in his throwing shoulder, Kirby gave up six hits and five runs, striking out four batters over 3 2/3 innings.
Seattle took the field without Julio Rodríguez, as the center fielder was removed from the lineup approximately 30 minutes prior to the first pitch. Manager Dan Wilson stated that Rodríguez was experiencing some back stiffness and is considered day-to-day due to this condition.
Dylan Moore hit a home run, and Rowdy Tellez contributed two hits along with one RBI as the AL West-leading Mariners struggled, going just 2 for 10 when they had runners in scoring position.
Tellez provided the Mariners with an initial advantage by driving in a run via a single with two outs in the first inning. Seattle extended their lead to 2-0 when Moore hit a home run at the start of the second inning.
Altuve tied the game with a sacrifice fly during Houston’s two-run second inning.
Key moment
Peña’s third-inning hit extended the Astros’ advantage and concluded Kirby’s time on the mound.
Key stat
Peña becomes the fifth player in team history to achieve 500 hits as a shortstop, following Roger Metzger (839), Carlos Correa (778), Craig Reynolds (767), and Adam Everett (530).
Up next
Ryan Gusto from Houston, who has a record of 3-2 and an earned run average of 4.85, will face off against Emerson Hancock with a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 6.21 as the series resumes on Friday evening.
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AP MLB:
https://apnews.com/MLB
Kristie Riecken, The Associated Press
