The Houston Astros continued their impressive run as they secured a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies in Denver on Wednesday night, extending their winning streak by clinching their 12th consecutive series. Jose Altuve played a pivotal role in the Astros' triumph as he not only contributed with a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning but also made history by moving into second place on Houston's career hits list.
Altuve's 2,315th career hit surpassed the legendary Jeff Bagwell, putting him behind only Craig Biggio, who leads the franchise with 3,060 career hits. The Astros' second baseman went 2 for 5 in the game, showcasing his consistent performance and crucial contributions to the team's success.
The pitching prowess of Hunter Brown, who improved his record to 9-3, was another highlight of the game. Brown allowed two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out eight batters. His impressive performance not only secured the win for the Astros but also earned him a notable place alongside Lance McCullers Jr. as one of the only Astros pitchers to reach 500 strikeouts in their first 86 appearances. Bennett Sousa closed out the game with his third save, adding to the Astros' solid pitching display.
Offensively, Jake Meyers kick-started the Astros' scoring with a double in the first inning, followed by consecutive singles from Altuve and Cam Smith to give Houston an early 1-0 lead. Shay Whitcomb, a rookie, added to the lead by belting his first career home run, a 451-foot shot to left-center field in the second inning.
The turning point of the game came in the sixth inning when Cooper Hummel and Mauricio Dubón reached base, setting the stage for Altuve's crucial at-bat. Altuve delivered with a timely hit to center field, scoring both runners and extending the Astros' lead to 4-2. Cam Smith further reinforced the lead with an RBI single, putting Houston ahead by three runs.
Despite a valiant effort from the Rockies, including a standout performance from Thairo Estrada, who went 3 for 4, and Mickey Moniak's home run, the Astros maintained their composure and secured their 12th straight series victory.
Houston's dominance was further highlighted by their overall success this season, winning 16 of their last 21 games. On the other hand, the Rockies continued to struggle at home, losing all 14 series and dropping the first two games in 13 of them.
Looking ahead, the Astros will send left-hander Brandon Walter to the mound in Thursday's series finale against the Rockies' struggling left-hander Kyle Freeland. With both teams looking to make their mark in the series, the stage is set for an exciting matchup in Denver.
The Astros' consistent performance, both offensively and defensively, combined with individual milestones like Altuve's career hits feat and Brown's pitching milestone, underscore their status as top contenders in the MLB. As they continue their winning streak and aim for further success, the Astros have firmly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the league. Fans can look forward to more exciting games and achievements from this talented Houston team as they pursue their championship aspirations.