Jose Altuve 211 Breaks Houston Astros Hits Record

Jose Altuve stands alone in Houston Astros history. Following a three-hit performance on Monday evening to reach the 209 hit mark, Altuve has recorded two hits to break an Astros record. An Astros legend, Craig Biggio, formerly held the top spot after his 1998 season.

Entering Tuesday’s game, Altuve brought a streak of five consecutive games with at least two hits to the table. His first at bat saw him hit a weak chopper to third base, resulting in a fielders’ choice. His second at-bat resulted in a fly out to right field.

But Altuve found a solution to Corey Kluber in the bottom of the fifth inning. History was made on an 0-1 curveball as Altuve grounded a double down the left field line. That double was Altuve’s 43rd on the season. This mark is good for 2nd in the American League (three behind Miguel Cabrera).

A result of the double was momentarily tying an Astros legend, Craig Biggio, with 210 hits in a single-season. However Altuve has seemed destined to smash the record for a long time this season. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Altuve surpassed Biggio with an up-the-middle single. In trademarked Altuve form, also, as it was the first pitch of the at-bat.

That hit gave Altuve a streak of six consecutive games with at least two hits.

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Astros’ starter Nick Tropeano allowed 2 runs (1 earned) through his 5 innings of work. He struck out four while walking two Indians batters. The unearned run came from Robbie Grossman‘s error in the top of the 4th inning. With one man on base, Yan Gomes singled to left field. On what should have been an ordinary 1st to 3rd play, Grossman failed to field the ball properly, enabling Lonnie Chisenhall to score the go-ahead run.

Pitching in relief of Tropeano, Darin Downs allowed 1 walk, leading to his only hit allowed being a 2-run home run to Gomes that extended the Indians’ lead to 4-1.

Jorge De Leon threw a 1-2-3 top of the 7th inning with three fly outs. One was an outstanding snowcone catch by Dexter Fowler. While the 8th inning was a bit rocky, De Leon managed to work his way out of a 1st and 2nd with 1 out situation.

Jake Buchanan threw a perfect frame in the 9th inning.

For the Indians, Corey Kluber pitched 7 innings with just 1 earned run allowed. In the bottom of the first inning, the Astros tied the game at 1 with an RBI single by Marwin Gonzalez. Through his seven innings of work, Kluber had struck out 13 batters to set a personal high.

The Astros cut the deficit to two runs with an RBI single by Alex Presley to make the game 4-2 Indians. Unfortunately with runners on 1st and 2nd and two outs, Jason Castro pinch-hit for Gregorio Petit and ended the threat with a flyout to left field.

Ultimately the Astros struck out 17 times en route to their 84th loss of the season with a final score of 4-2 to the Indians.