The Houston Astros continued their upward trajectory with a decisive 10-5 victory over the New York Mets in an 11-inning showdown. However, the game at Citi Field was not without controversy as star second baseman Jose Altuve was ejected for only the second time in his career.
Altuve's Disputed Groundout
The incident occurred in the seventh inning when Altuve appeared to foul a ball off his left foot, a call that was ruled as an inning-ending groundout by crew chief Alan Porter. Upset with the ruling, Altuve showed his frustration by tossing his bat and helmet, actions that led to his ejection from the game.
Following the game, Altuve did not mince words about his displeasure with the call. "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," he said.
Umpire Under the Spotlight
The groundout call, which was not subject to video replay review, placed a spotlight on rookie umpire James Jean, who was working behind the plate for the first time after making his major league debut just days earlier. Though seasoned crew chief Alan Porter made the call, Jean's nascent experience likely contributed to the contentious atmosphere.
Astros bench coach Joe Espada echoed Altuve's sentiments, suggesting that the missed call was apparent. "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.
Turning the Season Around
Despite the ejection drama, the Astros showcased resilience, triumphing in extra innings thanks to crucial plays in the 11th. Jake Meyers delivered a go-ahead single off Mets pitcher Matt Festa, followed by Joey Loperfido's two-run single and a two-run double from Trey Cabbage, effectively sealing the win.
The victory marked a significant milestone for the Astros, bringing their record to 42-41. It was the first time they climbed above the .500 mark this season, a remarkable turnaround considering their poor start. The Astros began the season with a dismal 7-19 record and were 12-24 before May 9. However, they turned the tide in June, finishing the month with an impressive 17-8 record.
Confidence in the Clubhouse
Jake Meyers emphasized the importance of reaching this benchmark. "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 stated.
Joe Espada also expressed his unwavering confidence in the team's potential despite their early struggles. "I never lost faith in this group. I know that we were down, but we were not out, and I'm not surprised that we are where we are," he said.
Altuve’s Performance
Altuve's contributions to the team have remained invaluable, evidenced by his performance stats for the season: a .304 batting average, 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. The veteran infielder continues to be a cornerstone for the Astros, both offensively and defensively.
The Astros will look to build on their momentum as they inch closer to the All-Star break, buoyed by their recent success and the unyielding spirit that has come to define their season.