The Astros took the guesswork out of a preview of practicable playoff contenders.
In game one of a four-game series, fans watched Brantley belt a three-run home run over the wall in right field, and the Astros tied a Major League record by hitting two or more home runs in ten straight games as it claimed a 10-2 victory on Thursday night at Minute Maid Park.
Altuve’s sixth-inning home run helped the Astros tie a Major League record, hitting two or more home runs in ten straight games. Houston tied Baltimore, which accomplished the feat in 2019.
Michael Brantley gave the Astros (40-28) all the run support it would need (three) in the bottom of the first inning by belting a ball up in the strike zone over the right-field wall. It scored Jose Altuve and Chas McCormick, who were on first and second base.
“Obviously, Michael (Brantley) probably one of the best hitters we ever seen,” Altuve explained. “He got a good pitch to hit. He put the game three nothing. I’m looking for good pitches to hit. If I can continue to do that and help my team, that’s all I want. I’m happy we’re winning games.”
Altuve led off with an infield single. Then McCormick hit a grounder to White Sox’s third baseman Yoan Moncada, which looked like a routine double play. Still, Moncada’s off-target throw to second baseman Danny Mendick allowed Altuve to be safe at second base while McCormick beat the relay throw to first base. Yuli Gurriel grounded out while White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease fanned Yordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa to close the inning.
Jose Urquidy (5-3) held Chicago’s high-powered offense to two runs while striking out five batters and surrendering one walk through seven innings of work. His effort on the mound validates a strong pitching staff and why many believe the Astros are a team to watch.
“I think my command was very good,” Urquidy said. “I was throwing the ball on the corners; the slider was good place for me. I have a lot of confidence when we have a lead to work with. I’m a little more relaxed on the mound and thinking of what I’m going to throw.”
Abraham Toro, who filled in for injured Alex Bregman, enjoyed a four RBI evening and found himself busy for a large part of the evening.
The Astros added four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning after sending eight batters to the plate. Gurriel walked to first base before Alvarez took a pitch to the body. Correa’s double to right field plated Gurriel, making the score 4-0. Toro, who had a productive evening, slapped a 2-RBI single right, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on Altuve’s sac fly to help Houston build a 7-0 lead.
Houston increased its lead, 10-2, by adding runs in the bottom of the sixth and the seventh.
The White Sox (43-26) saw its best chances of trimming the lead when Brian Goodwin doubled to right field and moved to third on Tim Anderson’s ground out to second. Adam Engel’s single off the wall in left field scored Goodwin. Moncada drew a walk before scoring on Jose Abreu’s single to right field to make the score 8-2. But after, Urquidy got Mercedes to fly out to center field, ending the threat.
For Cease, who had seen better days, lasted three and a third innings, gave up seven runs on four hits, six earned, struck out four, and walked two.
Zack Burdi relieved Cease, pitching an inning and two-thirds before Matt Foster came on. Jose Ruiz pitched the top of the eighth, walking Jason Castro before recording three consecutive outs. Two were strikeouts.
Brandon Bielak relieved Urquidy, striking out Mendick and Engel while Andersen flew out to center field. Ralph Garcia, Jr. recorded three consecutive outs to end the game, including fanning Mercedes.