Altuve Ejected in Astros' Extra-Inning Victory Over Mets
In a dramatic showdown at Citi Field, Jose Altuve experienced the second ejection of his storied career as the Houston Astros clinched a hard-fought 10-5 victory over the New York Mets in 11 innings. The eventful game saw tensions flare, controversial calls, and crucial hits that propelled the Astros above the .500 mark for the first time this season.
The Astros’ resilience was on full display, overcoming a controversial seventh-inning call that left Altuve fuming. As the inning unfolded, Altuve appeared to foul a ball off his left foot, only for it to be ruled an inning-ending groundout. Frustration overtook the infielder, who tossed his bat and helmet in disgust, leading to his ejection. The groundout call was particularly irksome given that it wasn't eligible for video replay review.
"They didn't see it. 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," Altuve explained.
Behind the plate was James Jean, umpiring for the first time in his major league career after debuting just days earlier, while Crew chief Alan Porter made the pivotal out call. The incident added a layer of complexity to what was already a tightly contested game.
Despite the setback, the Astros demonstrated their tenacity as they transitioned into extra innings. Jake Meyers snapped the tie in the 11th with a decisive go-ahead single off Matt Festa. The fireworks didn't stop there; Joey Loperfido followed with a two-run single, and Trey Cabbage hammered a two-run double to widen the margin and seal the win.
The victory marked a significant turnaround for Houston, who earlier in the season had languished with a 7-19 record, struggling to find their rhythm. Post-May 9, the team began to claw back, and by the end of June, the Astros boasted a commendable 17-8 record.
Reflecting on the journey, Jake Meyers revealed the team's mindset: "It was a goal to get to .500 before All-Star break. It kind of shows that we've been grinding through the season, ups and downs." The achievement indeed speaks volumes about the squad's perseverance and collective spirit.
Joe Espada, Astros' bench coach, also acknowledged the challenges faced and overcome by the team: "I never lost faith in this group. I know that we were down, but were not out, and I'm not surprised that we are where we are."
Altuve, a cornerstone of the Astros' lineup, continues to impress with his performance this season, boasting a .304 batting average, 13 homers, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. His gripe during the game was supported by Espada: "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."
The Astros' tenacity and fighting spirit were evident as they surged past the Mets. The win not only boosted their record to 42-41 but also fortified their belief in their capability to overcome early-season struggles.
As the Astros continue their campaign, this game will be remembered not just for Altuve's rare ejection, but for the collective effort that saw them emerge victorious in extra innings, proving once again why they remain a formidable force in Major League Baseball.