ARLINGTON — Less than 24 hours after being swept at home by the Yankees, the Astros had to face what is, thus far, their biggest road series of the season against their in-state rivals, the Rangers on Monday. from Texas. For the reigning World Series champions, not even a 3-0 deficit going into the fifth inning was enough to sink them, as they exploded with five home runs and 13 runs — totaling 16 hits — to overwhelm the Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
With their 13-6 win over Texas, the Sidereals tied the Mariners (lost in Cincinnati) for first place in the AL West. And, by the way, they sent a strong message in this particular series.
“A game that from the first inning you felt the atmosphere of the playoffs,” commented Venezuelan veteran José Altuve about the day with a full house of 39,181 fans. “Facing Rangers, who have been in near first place for most of the season, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But we needed a game like this.”
Houston’s victory also had historical overtones. Honduran Mauricio Dubón and Altuve combined twice for back-to-back home runs, part of a game that featured a total of nine home runs between the two teams — the most in the history of Globe Life Field, which opened its doors in 2020 In addition to the four between Dubón and Altuve, Yainer Díaz hit one for the Astros, while Corey Seager had two for the Rangers, as well as Mitch Garver and Josh Smith.
“The guys did a good job today,” Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “They played well today.”
This three-game series from Monday to Wednesday has been pointed out for several weeks as one of the most relevant in the American League at this time of the year. With the Astros, Mariners and Rangers battling for the top of the West, the stakes are high. And by clinching the home series against Texas 7-4 on the year Monday, Houston clinched the “Silver Boot” and any tiebreaker with its in-state neighbors.
There was even a large group of Astros fans in attendance, as Houston’s Minute Maid Park is just 257 miles away from Globe Life Field, a drive of approximately three hours and 45 minutes.
“We love seeing the Houston fans, being on the road,” Baker said. “We see them everywhere, but here it is closer and the support was felt. It seemed like it was 50/50 (Astros-Rangers).”
Altuve added in this regard: “I have always said that the fans of Houston are, for me, the best in the Major Leagues. They are always supporting us no matter where we are. They come and want to see their team play. For us, it’s an honor to go out and play for them.”
In both the sixth and ninth innings, ninth hitter Dubón and leadoff hitter Altuve went consecutively. It’s only the second time in Astros history that the same duo has accomplished the feat twice in the same game, the first being in 2005 by two club legends, Craig Biggio and Lance Berkman.
“Actually, I didn’t go looking for them,” said Dubón, whose four-corner drives were 393 and 378 feet, respectively, to match Altuve’s 429 and 420. “I went looking for a pitch to hit hard and it ended up coming out. Work the account and put a good swing and the ball ended up going. He feels great.
“I’m not surprised; I know the talent that I have, the skill that I can do,” the versatile player continued after his first career game with two home runs. “It is only a matter of opportunity. I think it’s the most important game of the year and being able to do that is something incredible”.
Houston’s victory on Monday was important to erase the bad taste of the sweep against the Yankees and, obviously, in the standings, in which the Rangers are now 1.0 game behind the Mariners and Astros. But there are two more games left in this series, and almost a month into the regular season. Nothing has been decided.
“More games are coming and one day at a time,” Dubón said about it. “I think that’s what we’re doing here. One day at a time and see what happens tomorrow”.
2023-09-05 04:09:39
#Houston #strong #message #Texas #historical #undertones
