In an electrifying performance, Houston Astros' second baseman Jose Altuve made franchise history by recording the first cycle since 2013 in a game against the Boston Red Sox. This remarkable achievement places him in the spotlight alongside other players who have hit for the cycle this season, including Luis Arraez, Cedric Mullins, J.T. Realmuto, and Elly De La Cruz.
Altuve's Historic Performance
Altuve's journey to the cycle began with a double in the third inning. He followed up with a single in the fifth, a triple in the sixth, and capped it all off with a home run in the eighth. His four-run contribution tied him with teammate Yordan Alvarez for the most among Astros players. The last Astro to achieve this feat was Brandon Barnes, who hit for the cycle on July 19, 2013.
Return from Injury
Both Altuve and Alvarez had recently returned from oblique injuries on July 26. Despite missing 17 games, Altuve entered Monday's game with an impressive .365/.451/.522 slash line in his 29 games since his return. On the other hand, Alvarez, who was absent for 39 games, had seen a dip in his performance after his first week back.
Alvarez's Performance
Despite the cooling period, Alvarez managed to strike four hits and reach base five times during this game. This marks his fourth career four-hit game. Altuve, not to be outdone, scored four runs and drove in four more, contributing significantly to the Astros' offensive efforts.
A Tough Day for Javier
While there were high points for the Astros, starter Cristian Javier had a challenging day on the mound. Lasting just over four innings, he allowed four runs on six hits. This marked the sixth time in his last 11 outings that Javier failed to complete five innings, pushing his ERA to 7.46 during that span.
Javier's pitching statistics reveal some struggles. In his last 50 2/3 innings, he has struck out 43 batters, walked 32, and allowed 12 home runs. Interestingly, he throws his fastball 58% of the time. However, Boston hitters seemed to have caught onto this, swinging at 32 of the 60 fastballs Javier threw, while only attempting to hit 12 of the 40 off-speed pitches he delivered.
Despite the mixed performances, the Astros' game against the Red Sox will be remembered for Altuve's historic achievement. His record-breaking cycle is a testament to his skill and resilience, particularly following his recent return from injury. As the season progresses, fans and fellow players alike will be watching to see what other feats Altuve might accomplish.