Jose Altuve Ejected as Astros Overcome Mets in Lengthy Showdown
The Houston Astros showcased their resilience in an 11-inning thriller against the New York Mets, securing a 10-5 victory at Citi Field. However, the intense game was marked by Jose Altuve's ejection—a rare occurrence for the second baseman who has been a paragon of composure throughout his career.
During the seventh inning, with the game poised on a knife edge, Altuve fouled a ball off his left foot, a moment that seemed innocuous enough. But the call on the field—a groundout—ignited controversy. Altuve's frustration boiled over as he tossed his bat and helmet in disbelief, leading to an ejection, only the second of his storied career. The groundout call was not subject to video replay review, adding to the drama.
"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," explained Altuve, voicing his frustration post-game.
Making matters more sensitive, James Jean was umpiring behind the plate for the first time after making his major league debut just days earlier. Crew chief Alan Porter signaled the out call, leading to Altuve's reaction.
Joe Espada, the Astros’ bench coach, stood by his player's right to dispute the call. "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 commented, supporting Altuve’s argument.
Despite the controversy, the Astros prevailed in extra innings with clutch performances. Jake Meyers broke the tie in the 11th inning with a go-ahead single off Matt Festa. Joey Loperfido and Trey Cabbage extended the lead further with two-run hits, ensuring the Astros walked away victorious.
Reflecting on the victory and the team's overall performance, Meyers shared, "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." This victory lifted the Astros' record to 42-41, pulling them above the .500 mark for the first time this season—a significant milestone given their rocky start.
The Astros opened the season with a disappointing 7-19 record, sitting at 12-24 before May 9. Yet, the team turned their fortunes around with a stellar 17-8 record in June, exemplifying their resilience and determination. "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," said Espada, emphasizing the team’s steadfast belief in their capabilities.
Amidst the drama and triumph, Altuve's stats continued to shine—a .304 batting average, 13 homers, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases—the performance of a player who remains undeterred even in challenging situations.
The Astros' comeback narrative this season speaks volumes about their character. Through controversy and adversity, they've demonstrated an unwavering commitment to their goals. As they inch closer to the All-Star break, their journey serves as a testament to perseverance and teamwork.