Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve both hit into Crawford Boxes in the Astros' win over the Red Sox in the ALCS Game 1. (0:58).
HOUSTON -- Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker was highly praised for his shortstop and second baseman after Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve led to a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS Game 1 on Friday night.
Baker stated after the game, "It's kinda like Tom Brady or [Rob] Gronkowski." They know what they think. They probably know what they eat for dinner, their favorite foods and the preferences of their children.
Altuve's six-inning home run for two in the sixth tied the game at 3-3, while Correa's solo effort in the seventh put the Astros ahead.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, it's the fourth home run Altuve and Correa have made in the same postseason game. This is the most by an infield teammate in MLB history. Correa and George Springer, a former teammate, are the only teammates to have achieved this feat more frequently.
The Dynamic Duo Correa & Altuve won the postseason game for the fourth consecutive time on Friday, joining an historic leaderboard that was dominated by Houston Astors. Carlos Correa & George Springer HOU 8 Jose Altuve & George Springer HOU 4 Jose Altuve & Carlos Correa HOU 4 Max Muncy & Joc Pederson LAD 4 Carlos Beltrn & Lance Berkman HOU 4 David Ortiz & Manny Ramirez BOS 4 Kenny Lofton & Jim Thome CLE 4 Source: Elias Sports Bureau
Alex Cora, Red Sox manager, stated that "two swings changed the course" of the game.
Altuve also added a sacrifice fly to the eighth game, which gave the home team the victory margin.
Altuve is "just so dangerous," Correa stated. Altuve's playoff record is incredible, and it just inspires me. He inspires me, even without saying much.
Altuve was a recipient of the praise. He is simply amazing. This is his favorite type of game. He would like to hit home runs. He seems to expect to do it. If you expect something, you will eventually make it happen.
Correa stated that he can see his at-bats from the on-deck circle. However, he might not have imagined himself hitting a high change up from Hansel Robles, Red Sox reliever, into the Crawford Boxes of Minute Maid Park. Correa dropped his bat, and then pointed to his wrist as he began his home run jog.
Correa said, "It's my teammates." "They always tell me that it's my time to hit homers when the playoffs begin. When I hit the homer, they told me to wear the watch.
"I did it in Chicago [in my first ALDS] on my own and they said to me today, 'if your hit a homer hit them with the, it’s your time.'
Altuve's 20th home run was Correa's 18th postseason home run, while Correa's was his 19th.
Altuve stated, "It means so much." "Derek Jeter, one of the greatest baseball players, is the greatest player to ever have played the game. To be able to hit as many homers like him, it's a tremendous honor."
Correa said about Altuve, "When I walk in that clubhouse during spring training, I see this man that has won MVPs and Silver Sluggers. He also holds batting titles, Gold Gloves and Hank Aaron Awards. He has won every award you can think of, and then he comes to spring training eager to learn more.
Enrique Hernandez, Red Sox center fielder, had four hits including two home runs. Hernandez was nearly outshined by the two players. Hernandez scored the second run in the ninth to reduce the lead to one. Hernandez has reached 29 total bases in his four postseason games. This feat was only achieved by Reggie Jackson (current Astros advisor) over four playoff games.
"Enrique is en fuego," Cora said.
Hernandez was the only bright spot for the Red Sox' offense, with just four hits in the final 6.9 innings. Altuve, Correa and others began to make a comeback for Houston while their offense was in shambles.
Baker stated, "I was hoping it'd be them." It's an honor to see them up close. They are very good guys.
The second game of the ALCS will be played in Houston on Saturday afternoon.
