Best Houston Astros Moments from the 2021 Season

Martin Maldonado cuts down Alex Verdugo to end the inning in Game 6.

In Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, the Boston Red Sox were threatening in the bottom of the seventh against reliever Kendall Graveman. They had runners at the corners with one out and Travis Shaw had worked the count full.

The Astros only had a two-run lead. A walk loads the bases, an extra base hit ties the game and a home run gives the Red Sox their first lead since the eighth inning of Game 4 and shifting the momentum back to Boston.

Enter Martin Maldonado. Despite all his offensive struggles in the series, this one play made up for all of it. Graveman threw a high outside fastball that Shaw swung through. Verdugo was off and if Maldonado’s throw was off in any way, shape or form Verdugo is safe and the inning extends.

But Maldonado fired a perfect throw that took Correa’s glove right to Verdugo’s thigh and Verdugo knew he was out, popping up in frustration as the Red Sox continued to be stymied offensively after their games two and three explosions.

The Astros never looked back and took the game as well the series that night.

Along with Altuve’s Game 4 homer and Jason Castro’s game tying hit, that was as big as moments get. Speaking of Castro’s game tying hit.