PHILADELPHIA, PA.-Cuban Yordan Alvarez hit three home runs, one walk, three runs scored, four RBIs in Wednesday’s 10-0 Astros victory over the Phillies in game 2:28 before 37,778 at Citizens Bank Park.
Alvarez hit a two-run homer off Taijuan Walker in the fourth before hitting a pair of solo shots off Michael Mercado in the seventh and eighth innings.
“I think we needed that spark from the beginning, that energy from the beginning of the game,” Alvarez said.
This was the third time in his career that Alvarez has hit three home runs in a game and the first time he has accomplished the feat since September 2022.
“He was great,” Houston manager Joe Espada said.
The 27-year-old Las Tunas native has been unstoppable in August, hitting .372 with eight homers, 16 RBIs, 15 runs scored and an exemplary 14:11 BB:K.
Astros players with the most multi-HR games in franchise history:
Jeff Bagwell (31)
Lance Berkman (25)
Yordan Alvarez (20) pic.twitter.com/XCtv69M7EX— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) August 28, 2024
Spencer Arrighetti (7-11) pitched 7.2 scoreless innings to earn the win, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out 11. He didn’t allow a hit until the eighth inning.
“He’s just good,” Altuve said. “One day he comes in and hits one hit and the next game he comes in and hits three home runs. I always say that, to me, he’s the best hitter in the major leagues. I know we have some very good hitters, but he’s right up there with the best and he’s on another level.”
Arrighetti dominated a potent Phillies lineup, racking up 11 strikeouts and taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Austin Hays’ infield single broke the deal.
Only one team in recorded MLB history has had one player hit 3 HR & another player record a no-hitter through 7 innings in the same game:
The @astros’ Spencer Arrighetti & Yordan Alvarez that last night against the Phillies.
That’s it. pic.twitter.com/X5NheGraxO
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) August 29, 2024
“That really set the tone for us,” Espada said. “We needed a little spark and he delivered.”
The 24-year-old has been on a roll in August, posting a solid 1.95 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 13.1 K/9 in 32.1 innings (five starts). Arrighetti has recorded three outings with double-digit strikeouts in August while lowering his ERA from 5.58 to 4.63.
It was his longest outing as a professional in either the majors or minors. He was trying to become the fourth pitcher in the majors with a no-hitter this season, joining teammate Ronel Blanco, who held Toronto scoreless on April 1.
YORDADDY GOES YARD! 6-0 ASTROS! pic.twitter.com/huqRNhHsBw
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 28, 2024
Arrighetti, one of baseball’s most accomplished pitchers, will look to continue his hot streak in his next start, scheduled for next week in Cincinnati.
For the Astros, Venezuelan Jose Altuve was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Cuban Yordan Alvarez was 4-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBIs. Dominican Jeremy Pena was 0-for-5. Puerto Rican Victor Caratini was 1-for-4 with one run scored. Honduran Mauricio Dubon was 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI.
For the Phillies, Panamanian Edmundo Sosa went 0-for-1.
The Big Man does it again!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/qZmDScU2Du
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 28, 2024
Next Game
The Astros host the Royals for four games beginning Thursday. Right-hander Brady Singer (9-9, 3.38) faces Hunter Brown (11-7, 3.72) in the opener.
Spencer Arrighetti took a No-Hitter into the 8th inning today against the Phillies
⚾️7.2 IP, 2 HITS, 0 RUNS, 11 STRIKEOUTS⚾️#Astros win 10-0@astros I #Relentless pic.twitter.com/FzcbltvYHD
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) August 28, 2024
The Phillies open a four-game series against NL East rival Atlanta on Thursday. Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez (9-9, 3.51) starts for Philadelphia against right-hander Charlie Morton (7-7, 4.24).
Altuve steals home! 💨
(via @astros)pic.twitter.com/uhdC8Vvcrl
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 28, 2024
