Motivated! Astros slugger hits pair of home runs after becoming a new dad

The Astros slugger, Yordan alvarez placeholder imageShe admitted she hadn’t had much sleep since her son was born on Friday. That didn’t stop him from returning to the lineup Tuesday and putting on the kind of performance that likely sent A’s starting pitcher Chris Bassitt into a sleepless night.

Álvarez, in his first game off paternity list, marked the Astros’ biggest comeback of the season by hitting a pair of home runs, including a game-tying three-run shot in the fifth inning, to send Houston to its fifth victory. in a row, 9-6, over A’s at Minute Maid Park.

“It’s exciting to be able to play that role in the game, to be a little bit down in the game and to be able with a swing, a big shot, put it back in a game. [empate] It’s practically huge, “Alvarez said.” It’s a very exciting time for me. “

The Astros (53-33), who entered the game with a 3 1/2 game lead over Oakland (49-38) in the AL West, the highest of the season, lost 6-2 after the Athletics will play in Houston. Framber Valdez starter. Alvarez kept the Astros in the game with a two-run homer to center field in the first that traveled 420 feet.

“I am happy for Yordan and the birth of his son, and I think he did a good job celebrating it tonight,” Valdez said.

Alvarez, who was intentionally walked in the sixth and was on deck in the top of the ninth, finished 3 of 3 with three runs scored and five RBIs. He’s cutting .310 / .396 / .611 with 44 home runs and 138 RBIs in his first 159 major league games.

“He’s an incredible hitter overall,” second baseman Jose Altuve said. “He can walk, he can hit doubles, home runs. You really don’t know what to expect from him, because he is so good and personally I am happy that he is part of our team. ”

Alvarez, playing for the first time since Thursday’s series opener at Cleveland, is hitting .338 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs in his last 19 games.

“We miss him in the games that [se perdió]”Altuve said.” He came back today and those two home runs, I think they were the key for us to win the game. The whole team is happy he’s back. “

Trailing 6-3 in the fifth inning, Alvarez sent a three-run home run to the Crawford Boxes on the left for his second multi-homer game of the season, chasing Bassitt. The Astros added three more in the sixth, including a two-run single by Altuve.

“I wasn’t there looking for any specific pitch in particular,” Alvarez said of his game-tying home run. “I wanted to make good contact with the ball in the situation, a count of [3-1], and I was looking for a good pitch to hit, and that’s what I was able to do.

Bassitt entered the game 9-0 with a 2.74 ERA in his previous 15 starts, and the Athletics won 13 of those starts. It lasted just four 1/3 innings, allowing six runs, the season’s high. He had allowed four or fewer runs in each of his last 28 starts (since September 2019).

“The whole lineup is [impresionante]But when you don’t have your stuff, good luck, “Bassitt said.” Obviously, Alvarez is really good, but I mean, it’s not just Alvarez. [Michael] Brantley, it’s Altuve, [Alex] Bregman when healthy, [Carlos] Correa … I mean, without saying that Álvarez is not elite. It’s really good, with a lot of power, but if you don’t have stuff in your throws and you’re missing location, you’re screwed. “

Tuesday’s game was the twelfth start of the season for Alvarez in left field, all of which have happened since June 2. The Astros were careful with him in the spring and early in the season after he underwent surgery on both knees in the offseason, but he looked comfortable on the left, and he said it helps him stay locked in offensively. He’s hitting .398 while playing left field and .296 as a designated hitter this year.

“I think it generally helps me stay active and helps my body stay athletic, rather than sitting on the bench between each at-bat,” he said. “I’m getting more movement and it helps me keep up at the plate.”

Brian McTaggart / MLB.com

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