In a dramatic and highly eventful game at Citi Field, Houston Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve found himself ejected for only the second time in his illustrious career. Despite the ejection, the Astros managed to overtake the New York Mets 10-5 in an intense 11-inning battle.
During the seventh inning, an incident involving Altuve added significant drama to the game. Altuve appeared to foul a ball off his left foot, but the play was ruled as an inning-ending groundout by crew chief Alan Porter. Altuve, visibly frustrated by the call, tossed his bat and helmet, actions that led to his ejection. This moment marked a rare emotional outburst from the typically composed Altuve, who was previously ejected only once before on August 6, 2016, during a game against the Texas Rangers.
"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 expressed post-game, still visibly upset by the controversial call.
The groundout call, unfortunately for Altuve and the Astros, was not subject to video replay review. Adding to the tension, James Jean was umpiring behind the plate for the first time in his major league career, having made his debut just days earlier. The contentious call and subsequent ejection of Altuve added a layer of complexity to an already gripping game.
Despite the setback, the Astros demonstrated resilience and determination. Altuve's emotions did not derail the team's focus. In the 11th inning, the Astros offense erupted, securing their hard-fought victory. Jake Meyers played a pivotal role, hitting a go-ahead single off Mets' pitcher Matt Festa. Joey Loperfido followed suit with a two-run single, and Trey Cabbage sealed the win with a two-run double, putting the game out of reach for the Mets.
Meyers, reflecting on the team's journey to overcome a shaky start to the season, remarked, "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." His words highlighted the Astros' determination to flip the script on a season that started poorly.
Indeed, Houston's run to reach the .500 mark has been nothing short of remarkable. Opening the season with a dismal 7-19 record and standing at a disappointing 12-24 before May 9, the Astros have turned their fortunes around. They concluded June with an impressive 17-8 record, lifting their overall season record to 42-41.
Astros bench coach Joe Espada praised the team's tenacity, saying, "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." Espada also shared his perspective on the controversial call involving Altuve, stating, "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."
Altuve’s contributions this season have been substantial, boasting a .304 batting average, 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. Despite the frustration of the ejection and the missed call, his performance continues to be a cornerstone for the Astros.
As the Astros celebrate this victory and their rise above the .500 mark, they look forward to maintaining their momentum. The resilience shown in the face of adversity, much like in this game against the Mets, is a testament to their drive and unity as a team. With key players like Altuve leading both on and off the field, Houston's resurgence is a compelling narrative in the ever-unpredictable world of baseball.