Altuve Ejected as Astros Triumph over Mets in Extra Innings
In a dramatic turn of events at Citi Field, Houston Astros' stalwart Jose Altuve saw his evening cut short, being ejected in the seventh inning for only the second time in his illustrious career. Despite the ejection, the Astros managed to secure a 10-5 victory over the New York Mets in an 11-inning thriller, lifting their record to 42-41 and surpassing the .500 mark for the first time this season.
The contentious incident occurred when Altuve appeared to foul a ball off his left foot, a play that was ruled an inning-ending groundout by the umpires. Frustration was evident as Altuve forcefully tossed his bat and helmet, leading to his ejection. Reflecting on the event, Altuve remarked, "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."
The groundout call was not subject to video replay review, leaving the Astros without recourse. It was an unfortunate moment during a game managed by James Jean behind the plate, who had recently made his major league debut. The out call was signaled by crew chief Alan Porter, adding another layer of complexity to the incident. The Astros' bench coach, Joe Espada, provided his viewpoint, stating, "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."
Despite the setback, the Astros displayed resilience, a characteristic that has become synonymous with their season. Opening the year with a dismal 7-19 record and sitting at 12-24 by May 9, the team has clawed its way back, highlighted by a 17-8 finish in June. Jake Meyers, whose go-ahead single off Matt Festa in the 11th inning proved pivotal, reflected on the journey, saying, "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."
Adding to the late-game heroics, Joey Loperfido's two-run single and Trey Cabbage's two-run double in the 11th inning sealed the victory, underscoring the Astros' tenacity. Espada, capturing the team's spirit, remarked, "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."
Jose Altuve's current stats stand testament to his significant contributions this season, boasting a .304 batting average, 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. His ejection, the first since August 6, 2016, during a game against the Texas Rangers, is a rare blemish on an otherwise stellar career.
The Astros' victory against the Mets is not merely a win on the scoreboard but a moral booster, evidencing their ability to persevere under pressure. As the season progresses, the team's unity and determination are likely to be pivotal in their quest for further success.