Houston Astros' star Jose Altuve faced his second career ejection during a recent matchup against the New York Mets. The heated moment came in the seventh inning of what turned out to be an 11-inning battle that saw the Astros emerge victorious with a 10-5 win at Citi Field.
The drama unfolded when Altuve appeared to foul a ball off his left foot, a call that the umpiring crew didn’t see eye to eye with. Instead, the play was ruled an inning-ending groundout by crew chief Alan Porter. Frustrated with the ruling, Altuve threw his bat and helmet in protest, resulting in his ejection from the game by home plate umpire James Jean. Jean had just made his major league debut days earlier, adding to the tension of the situation.
"They didn't see it," Altuve explained, reflecting on the incident. "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 a pivotal moment that could not be reviewed via video replay, leaving the Astros without their star for the remainder of the game. This ejection marks only the second time in Altuve’s illustrious career that he’s been thrown out of a game; the first occurred on August 6, 2016, against the Texas Rangers.
Despite the controversial call and Altuve's frustration, the Astros showcased their resilience. With Altuve watching from afar, the team clawed their way to a win, bolstered by a standout performance late in the game. In the 11th inning, Jake Meyers delivered a crucial go-ahead single off Mets pitcher Matt Festa, setting the stage for a commanding five-run lead. Joey Loperfido followed up with a two-run single, and Trey Cabbage added to the onslaught with a two-run double.
"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," Meyers commented on the team's efforts and ultimate success.
The victory brought the Astros' record to 42-41, pushing them above the .500 mark for the first time this season. This accomplishment is particularly significant given their rocky start. The team opened the season with a dismal 7-19 record and was 12-24 by May 9. However, they turned things around dramatically, finishing June with an impressive 17-8 record.
Bench coach Joe Espada praised the team's determination and grit. "I never lost faith in this group. I know that we were down, but we're not out, and I'm not surprised that we are where we are," he said, highlighting the Astros' ability to persevere through challenging times.
The incident also sheds light on the role and challenges faced by umpires in real-time game situations. "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," Espada remarked regarding the controversial play that led to Altuve's ejection.
As for Altuve, despite the ejection and temporary setback, his individual performance this season remains impressive. Sporting a .304 batting average with 13 homers, 37 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases, Altuve continues to be a key player for the Astros.
In conclusion, the game against the Mets not only demonstrated the Astros' capability to overcome adversity but also highlighted the importance of perseverance and teamwork. Even with the absence of Altuve late in the game, Houston proved its mettle and secured a well-earned victory, underscoring their potential for the remainder of the season.