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04/27/24 09:25:00
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04/27 21:23 CDT Alvarez hits 2 homers and Astros snap a 5-game losing streak
with a 12-4 win over Rockies in Mexico
Alvarez hits 2 homers and Astros snap a 5-game losing streak with a 12-4 win
over Rockies in Mexico
By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) --- Before the first of two games in Mexico City, Houston
Astros manager Joe Espada said he hoped that the trip could help them solve
their offensive struggles.
Apparently, it worked.
Yordan Alvarez hit two home runs, Kyle Tucker added a solo shot and the Houston
Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 12-4 on Saturday night in the MLB World Tour:
Mexico City Series to snap a five-game losing streak.
Alvarez hit a two-run homer to center field and Tucker followed with a shot to
left field and the Astros took a 4-2 lead in the third. Alvarez hit his seventh
home run of the season in the ninth inning.
"Today we were able to bat with runners in scoring positions, that's a good
sign for the team," Espada said. "We took strong turns and we were able to
spread the ball on the field, that really helped us today."
Alvarez went 3 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs scored and Yainer Diaz had
three hits and scored three runs.
"When we saw the introductions, we knew that it was a moment to think that the
season was just beginning for us," Alvarez said. "We knew that we were
struggling, but we trust in the team's talent."
Ronel Blanco (3-0) allowed two hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings. He struck
out eight and walked two.
The Rockies' Cal Quantrill (0-3) allowed six hits and six earned runs in five
innings.
"We have not played to our standards, but hopefully we get there," said Rockies
manager Bud Black. "For me, all was positive (from the game in Mexico) except
for the outcome."
Houston arrived in Mexico City after scoring just six runs in a three-game
sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs, but the team took advantage of the
7,349-foot (2,240-meter) elevation of the Alfredo Harp Hel stadium to break
the offensive slump with 15 hits against the Rockies.
The Astros also benefited from the support of the crowd, most of them wearing
the team's colors even though the Rockies were the home team.
"We did not feel like the visiting team, we felt at home. There was a
tremendous passion and energy in the stadium, and it really felt like home,"
Espada said.
The Rockies took the lead on Ryan McMahon's two-run homer to center field in
the first.
The Astros pulled ahead for good after Alvarez and Tucker hit their homers in
the third.
The series marks the Astros' second regular-season visit to Mexico. In May
2019, they swept the Angels in two games played in Monterrey. The Astros also
played exhibition games in Mexico against the Padres in 2016 and Marlins in
2004.
The Rockies, who came south of the border after beating the Padres 10-9 at
Coors Field, have yet to win consecutive games this season, the longest such
stretch to begin a season in franchise history.
Colorado played their second regular-season game in Mexico. In 1999, they beat
San Diego in their season opener, also at Monterrey.
URQUIDY MISSES THE CHANCE
Jos Urquidy played with the Astros in a exhibition game against the San Diego
Padres in Mexico City in 2016, but a right arm injury left him out of the
series against the Colorado Rockies.
"Back then (2016) I was a kid just dreaming of playing in the majors. It was a
long process for me to become a starter in the MLB, but I made it," said
Urquidy, who despite not being able to play was joined by family and friends.
The right-hander, who was born in Mazatlan, invited some of his closest
friends, some of whom lack visas to enter the United States and have never seen
a major league game.
"Even though I'm not playing, I'm happy for them to be able to watch a major
league game live. We had a day off (Friday) and they get to know some of my
teammates. I'm happy for them," Urquidy said.
The 28-year-old Urquidy said that he threw a bullpen session in Mexico City and
feels close to a return to the rotation.
UP NEXT
Astros LHP Framber Valdez (0-0, 2.19 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday night
against Rockies LHP Austin Gomber (0-1, 4.32) in the second game in Mexico City.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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