Dusty Baker climbs win ladder with Astros’ recent win streak

The Houston Astros entered play Sunday riding a six-game win streak, dating back to Jose Altuve’s return from the 10-day injured list. In that span, the second baseman is 8-for-19 with three home runs and three RBI, sporting a 1.417 OPS.

Following Saturday’s comeback win, manager Dusty Baker moved to 11th all-time in managerial wins with 2,004, passing former San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants’ skipper Bruce Bochy, who played for Houston in the late 1970s.

Manager Dusty Baker further etches his name in Major League Baseball history with the Houston Astros.

With the Astros’ recent win streak, the ball club moved to 0.5 games back of first place in the American League West on Saturday, trailing the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have played one more game than the Astros this season with an extra win under their belts.

Baker’s next feat is 2,008 wins held by Hall of Famer Leo Durocher — longtime Brooklyn Dodgers’ manager and former Astros’ manager for two seasons in the early 1970s. In the 2022 season, Baker can finish the year ninth all-time with 2,040 or more wins, passing Hall of Famer Walter Alston — who also managed the Dodgers.

With Sunday being Mother’s Day, Baker spoke with the media prior to the game about his mother, Christine.

The Astros see their first off day since April 21 Monday, while playing 33 games in 34 days. Recent success for the Astros can be attributed to the healthiness seen in the order as well as the dominance the pitching staff showed over the last 13 games.

Entering Sunday, Houston sported a 2.05 ERA over the last two weeks, allowing three runs or fewer in 11 of the last 12 games. While down a bullpen hand, the Astros’ six-man rotation has worked efficiently as rosters decreased to 26 over a week ago.