Jose Altuve Ejected in Astros' 11-Inning Triumph Over Mets
In a dramatic showdown at Citi Field, the Houston Astros claimed a 10-5 victory over the New York Mets in an 11-inning game, marked by the ejection of star player Jose Altuve. This thrilling win saw the Astros elevate their record to 42-41, pushing them above the .500 mark for the first time this season — a significant achievement considering their rocky start.
The pivotal moment of the game unfolded in the seventh inning when Altuve appeared to foul a ball off his left foot. This was ruled an inning-ending groundout, much to the dismay of the Astros' second baseman. Overcome with frustration, Altuve tossed his bat and helmet, actions that ultimately led to his ejection from the game. This marked only the second ejection in Altuve’s illustrious major league career, his first dating back to August 6, 2016, 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," expressed a visibly frustrated Altuve.
Behind the plate for this game was James Jean, who was umpiring for the first time since making his major league debut days earlier. Crew chief Alan Porter signaled the out call. Despite the controversy, the groundout call was not subject to a video replay review, leaving the Astros with little recourse. Astros' bench coach Joe Espada stood by Altuve, 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."
The Astros' resilience shone through during the prolonged battle, with key performances in the 11th inning sealing their victory. Jake Meyers delivered a go-ahead single off Mets' reliever Matt Festa, followed by Joey Loperfido and Trey Cabbage adding critical insurance runs with a two-run single and a two-run double, respectively. Meyers later reflected on the team’s 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."
Houston’s path to this victory wasn't smooth. They opened the season with a dismal 7-19 record and were floundering at 12-24 by early May. However, a 17-8 run in June revitalized their campaign, showcasing a remarkable turnaround. Joe Espada, exuding confidence in his team, commented, "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 contributions this season have been invaluable, despite the setback of his ejection. He currently boasts an impressive .304 batting average, with 13 homers, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases, underpinning his status as a cornerstone of the Astros’ lineup. The game against the Mets not only demonstrated their competitive spirit but also highlighted the crucial roles played by both emerging and veteran players.
The Astros' ability to rally from difficult situations and secure vital wins underscores their potential to be formidable contenders as the season progresses. With their record now standing strong, fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how this tenacity translates into future performances.