Jose Altuve Ejected as Houston Astros Secure 11-Inning Victory Over New York Mets
In an intense matchup at Citi Field, the Houston Astros emerged victorious over the New York Mets with a 10-5 win, thanks to an explosive 11th inning. The game, already brimming with drama, saw Jose Altuve ejected for only the second time in his illustrious career. The ejection came in the seventh inning after what Altuve believed was a foul ball off his left foot was ruled an inning-ending groundout by the umpires.
As Mets fans watched closely, Altuve showed his frustration by tossing his bat and helmet, a rare display of emotion from the usually composed second baseman. Reflecting on the controversial call, 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 pivotal moment in the game came with James Jean umpiring behind the plate for the first time in his major league career, following his debut just days earlier. The crucial out call was made by crew chief Alan Porter and to Altuve's dismay, was not subject to video replay review. "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," said Astros' bench coach Joe Espada, supporting Altuve's reaction.
Despite the on-field controversy, the Astros showcased their resilience. The game extended into extra innings after a closely contested regular nine. Houston displayed a powerful offense in the 11th inning, breaking the game wide open. Jake Meyers delivered a go-ahead single off Matt Festa, which set the stage for Joey Loperfido and Trey Cabbage to each contribute two-run hits, driving the score decisively in Houston's favor.
Post-game, Meyers reflected on the team's achievements, 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 journey this season has indeed been challenging. They started the year with a dismal 7-19 record and lagged at 12-24 by early May. However, a significant turnaround in June, where they posted a 17-8 record, catapulted them above the .500 mark for the first time this season, currently standing at 42-41.
Espada's belief in the team never wavered. "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," he said, highlighting the determination and grit of the Astros' roster. Altuve, a key component of this squad, continues to showcase his elite performance with a .304 batting average, 13 homers, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases this season.
As the Astros move forward, the ejection of Jose Altuve will certainly be a talking point, but it will be their relentless push and eventual triumph over the Mets that will be remembered fondly by their fans. The dramatic win at Citi Field not only underscores their resilience but also sets a promising precedent as they approach the season's midway mark and look ahead to the challenges left to conquer.