Jose Altuve Ejected in Astros' 11-Inning Triumph Over Mets
In a game marked by intense moments and late-inning heroics, Houston Astros' second baseman Jose Altuve found himself ejected for only the second time in his illustrious career. The Astros, however, overcame the adversity, securing a 10-5 victory in 11 innings against the New York Mets at Citi Field.
The ejection took place during the seventh inning when Altuve appeared to foul a ball off his left foot, a call which was controversially ruled as an inning-ending groundout. Visibly frustrated, Altuve expressed his dissatisfaction by tossing his bat and helmet, resulting in his ejection from the game. This incident marked the first time he had been ejected since August 6, 2016, in a game against the Texas Rangers.
"They didn't see it," Altuve explained post-game. "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."
The contentious call was not eligible for video replay review. The rookie umpire James Jean was officiating behind the plate, with crew chief Alan Porter making the out call. Astros’ bench coach Joe Espada shared his perspective on the play, supporting his star player. "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," Espada remarked.
Despite the setback and the absence of their leader, the Astros showcased resilience and determination. They overcame an early-season struggle that saw them start with a 7-19 record and sitting at 12-24 before May 9. Houston has since turned the tide, finishing June with an impressive 17-8 record and improving their season’s record to 42-41 for the first time this season after the win over the Mets.
Astros' persistence bore fruit in the 11th inning. The clutch performance began with Jake Meyers, who broke the deadlock by hitting a go-ahead single off Matt Festa. Following Meyers, Joey Loperfido added to the lead with a two-run single, and Trey Cabbage delivered a two-run double to cement the victory. Reflecting on the team’s struggle, Meyers commented, "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."
Espada echoed Meyers' sentiments on the team’s perseverance. "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 stated, emphasizing the team’s commitment and belief in each other.
Altuve’s performance remains a cornerstone for the Astros, boasting a .304 batting average, 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. His leadership and talent continue to uplift the team's spirit both on and off the field.
As the Astros continue their season, the team will undoubtedly look to build on their recent success and carry this momentum forward. With Altuve’s passion and their recent track record of gritty performances, the Houston Astros show no signs of slowing down, determined to prove themselves as they strive for a successful season.