Hes one of ours.”.
Randy Arozarena led off the sixth inning with a single, and the Astros went into their typical shift for left-handed hitter Brandon Lowe. Lowe struck a regular ground ball to Altuve that was a tailor-made double play.
” They play the video game the best way,” Correa said. Thats a recipe to win games.”.
SAN DIEGO– Jose Altuve, one of the video games biggest gamers, stood alone on the infield dirt Tuesday night, staring vacantly to the outfield in utter disbelief.
Here he is, a previous MVP, six-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, three-time batting champ, and Gold Glove winner, melting down for all of the world to see in this American League Championship Series.
The Houston Astros are one defeat far from going home for the winter season, losing again to the Tampa Bay Rays, 5-2, and Altuves arm is largely accountable for two of the defeats.
” Its tough to see this taking place to such a great gamer and such a great guy …” Astros supervisor Dusty Baker said. ” It hurts all of us to see him harming.”.
Altuve didnt make a throwing error in the routine season however in a span 24 hours, made three, leading to five runs, with the Rays now leading the best-of-seven series, 3-0.
There has been just one team in baseball history to recover from a 3-0 deficit, but the 2020 Astros are not the 2004 Boston Red Sox.
” Its a high mountain to climb up, “Baker said,” however its possible. We got to tighten our belts, put on our big-boy trousers, and come out fighting.”.
Reasonably, this series is all over, and Altuve– who struck the walk-off homer to send out the Astros to the World Series a year ago– will now need to a long winter to process what happened. He decreased to be talked to after the video game.
” Nobody feels worse than Jose, “Baker stated, “due to the fact that he takes it very seriously, and he takes it to heart. Were providing him all of the assistance we can. Hes one of ours.”.
NLCS: Braves hold on to take commanding lead vs. Dodgers.
PLAYOFFS: Baseball fans delight in return to the ballpark.
The Astros were in control of this video game after Altuves homer in the first inning, however along came the 6th, and the error that will haunt him until spring training, maybe longer.
Randy Arozarena led off the 6th inning with a single, and the Astros went into their normal shift for left-handed hitter Brandon Lowe. It appeared like it worked to perfection. Lowe hit a regular ground ball to Altuve that was a custom-made double play.
Altuve fielded it cleanly, flipped it towards shortstop Carlos Correa, just for the toss to avoid 2 feet in front of Correa, and into left field. 2 out and no one on became two on and no outs.
Astros supervisor Dusty Baker went to the mound to get rid of shaken Jose Urquidy, who had actually been pitching a gem, and the whole infield went to the mound– except for one guy.
Altuve stood alone, not able to enjoy. His teammates came by during reliever Enoli Paredes warmup pitches, attempting to console him.
” Keep your head up, weve still got a lot of video game left,” Correa informed him. “Were going to win this game.”.
Altuve didnt say a word, merely nodded his head.
” I blame myself for that error too,” Correa stated, “due to the fact that I seem like I make that choice 9 times out of 10, and I wasnt able to choose my group up on that one.”.
The Rays, smelling blood, took complete advantage, and by the time the inning ended, had actually scored 5 runs, breaking the video game open, and the series.
” Boy, “Baker stated,” just a nightmare inning.”.
Altuve had a chance to redeem himself in the ninth, representing the connecting run with 2 on and one out, only to start out swinging against Diego Castillo.
Even before the game, Baker feared that Altuve was in his own head.
” Youre simply hoping he isnt getting the yips, “Baker said.” Invariably, they are available in lots. Whatever comes in lots– mistakes, hits, homers, everything. I simply informed him to flush it.”.
If the loss wasnt unpleasant enough for the Astros, they had to watch the Rays placed on another defensive showcase of their own.
The highlights began in the first inning when Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier robbed Alex Bregman at the wall..
In the t inning, the Astros had two runners on, 2 outs, when Carlos Correa lined a ball to right-center field. Kiermaier ran 52 feet, dove, and with his glove extended in front of him, caught the ball as he hit the ground, saving a minimum of a run– if not 2.
Left fielder Randy Arozarena, shortstop Wily Adames, Joey Wendle, Hunter Renfroe and pitcher John Curtiss all got in into the act before the night was over.
” They play the video game the right way,” Correa stated. Thats a recipe to win games.”.
