HOUSTON — As soon as Yordan Alvarezsaw Robbie RayHeating up in the MarinersHe grabbed his iPad from the bullpen.
The only reason Alvarez, a Seattle lefty and Cy Young Award winner, was getting loose was one. Alvarez was aware of that fact. This would be the matchup if he was to have a chance of winning the game.
He then re-enacted old matches between the two sides, an exercise to prepare for an at bat that would eventually go down in. AstrosHistory as the most important and memorable period in history.
“Being able to get that hit right there,” Alvarez said, “was one of the most special moments of my career.”
It wasn’t just a hit. It was a 438-foot shot, which was frozen by the time it hit the second deck in rightfield. This made a 2-run deficit into an 8-7 win. After the Mariners spent all afternoon hitting the ball harder and all over the field, Alvarez’s 116.7 mph homer topped them all in significance and sheer brute force.
Alvarez ended with five RBIs. Alex Bregman homered. So did Yuli Gurriel. All this was done in an effort get. Justin VerlanderHe was let go after his worst performance of his postseason career.
