Jose Altuve struck out with two runners on base to end the first inning, stranding a chance to extend an early lead, and drove his helmet into the ground in frustration. Five innings later, he made up for it in the most emphatic way possible.
With the Astros trailing 3-2 in the sixth, Altuve drove a Matt Festa fastball into the Crawford Boxes to put Houston ahead for good. The Astros went on to rout the Cleveland Guardians 9-3 Friday night at Daikin Park, climbing within five games of .500 at 36-41.
“I think obviously I’m a little frustrated about how my season’s going, I kind of reflect that in my first and second at-bat,” Altuve said. “But thanks God, I could hit a big homer and a double today to help the team to win and hopefully create some momentum.”
Jeremy Peña matched him blow for blow. The shortstop homered twice—a solo shot in the third that pulled Houston within one, and another in the seventh that pushed the lead to three—and added an RBI single in the eighth. Between them, Altuve and Peña accounted for five hits and seven RBIs.
Tatsuya Imai was the story on the mound. After failing to complete the first inning in his previous start in Kansas City, Imai was excellent—striking out a season-high 11 batters across six innings while allowing three runs on six hits and no walks. His slider was the weapon of choice, drawing whiff after whiff—17 misses on 29 swings against the pitch alone. After Hoskins’ homer put Cleveland up 3-1, Imai did not allow another baserunner for 11 straight hitters.
“After they scored the three runs in the third inning, I was just trusting my teammates that they’re going to score,” Imai said through an interpreter. “After Altuve’s home run I think everybody was hyped up, fired up, and then that led to more scoring.”
Steven Okert took over in the seventh and set down all six hitters he faced across two scoreless innings. Mike Burrows, working out of the bullpen for this series, handled the ninth.
The Astros had 15 strikeouts and no walks as a pitching staff. Cleveland’s José Ramírez was absent, sidelined by a hamate fracture.
The Astros and Guardians play Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at Daikin Park, with Spencer Arrighetti starting against Joey Cantillo. The first 10,000 fans receive a Carlos Correa bobblehead, presented by Houston Methodist. It is also Barbie Game Day.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check the Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
