'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
From the depths of despair, the Houston Astros have climbed to the top of the AL West. There was better way to do it than at the home of their closest rivals, the Seattle Mariners. But the win didn't come easy, as players like Jose Altuve were given hostile treatment at T-Mobile Park.
Astros needed exactly a month to wipe out a 10-game deficit to the Mariners. They have gone 18-6 since June 18 when they were under .500 PCT by seven games. Their ascent to the top of the standings was completed by their 3-0 win on Friday night in Seattle.
However, it's commonly known that the Astros aren't the most well received club in the MLB. Fans from other clubs love to celebrate their failures. But once they start going, they receive the worst treatment on the road. That was the case when Mariners fans heavily booed Altuve. T-Mobile Park rained down negativity on the nine-time All-Star.
Trending
However, Altuve returned in the way he knows best. In the third innings, the veteran second baseman started the scoring for Houston with an RBI single off a bunt scoring Trey Cabbage. He then scored himself when Yanier Diaz capitalised against Luis Castillo from the bases loaded situation.
Jose Altuve having another stellar season with Astros
Jose Altuve might have missed out on playing in the All-Star game but is proving to all his critics why he was selected for the ninth time. After missing the initial months of the 2023 season, the Venezuelan returned to Astros lineup this year after penning down a new five-year $125 million contract extension.
He has proven worth all the money Houston are paying for him so far, as he has batted at .305 with 44 RBIs including 14 home runs. As a leadoff hitter he has done exceptionally well in getting to base with an OPS of .812.
The 2017 American League MVP will hope to continue the form as the Astros look make another deep run into the playoffs. They round off the three-game series against the Mariners over the weekend.
