Altuve Ejected, Astros Prevail Over Mets in Dramatic 11-Inning Battle
In a game marked by drama and determination, the Houston Astros secured a hard-fought victory over the New York Mets with a 10-5 finish in 11 innings. The match, played at Citi Field, saw Astros' star Jose Altuve ejected for only the second time in his illustrious career, adding another layer to the story of the evening.
The moment that led to Altuve's ejection occurred in the seventh inning when he appeared to foul a ball off his left foot. The umpiring crew, however, ruled it an inning-ending groundout, a call that did not sit well with Altuve. In a rare display of frustration, he tossed his bat and helmet, actions that led to his abrupt removal from the game.
"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," Altuve expressed post-game. "I felt like it was kind of obvious. That's why I was so mad."
Adding to the poignancy of the situation, the game was punctuated by the presence of James Jean, umpiring behind the plate for the first time since making his major league debut just days earlier. The crucial call was made by crew chief Alan Porter, and it became a central talking point of the game.
Joe Espada, the Astros' bench coach, also weighed in on the incident. "The ball kind of took a different direction once it hit the ground, to [Mark] 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,” Espada commented.
Despite the setback, the Astros showed their resilience by coming back strong in extra innings. Their victory elevated their record to 42-41, marking the first time they've been above the .500 mark this season. The team had a challenging start, opening with a dismal 7-19 record and standing at 12-24 before May 9. However, they turned their season around, finishing June with a commendable 17-8 record.
In the decisive 11th inning, Jake Meyers played the hero, delivering a go-ahead single off Mets pitcher Matt Festa. This hit set the stage for Joey Loperfido, who followed with a two-run single, and Trey Cabbage, who drove the point home with a two-run double, extending their lead beyond the Mets’ reach.
"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," Meyers reflected, encapsulating the team's journey and determination.
Espada echoed Meyers' sentiment, noting, "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."
As the Astros celebrated their victory, Altuve’s stats continued to shine with a .304 batting average, 13 homers, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. His on-field performance this season reinforces his status as a cornerstone of the Astros lineup.
While the ejection may have been a blip in Altuve’s career, the game itself stands as a testament to the Astros’ tenacity and capability to overcome adversity. With key players stepping up in critical moments and a unified team effort, Houston’s journey through the season captured the essence of perseverance and teamwork.