GRABBING THE SPOTLIGHT
Houston Astros star José Altuve hilariously hugs it out in viral fan moment
Oct 21, 2022, 12:13 pm
Atltuve really embraced the moment, Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images
As a World Series champ, perennial All Star (eight, to be exact), American League MVP, Hank Aaron Award winner, and more — not to mention base-stealing wizard and clutch batter — Houston Astros superstar José Altuve knows how to adjust on the fly.
So it's little surprise that the humble hometown hero not only held his composure, but offered a calming presence when a fan stormed the field during the ALCS Game 2 at Minute Maid Park Thursday, October 20.
Just as the 8th inning ended and before the 9th began, the man — sporting a retro Craig Biggio jersey (nicely done) — sprinted across the field to Altuve and gripped him in an adoring embrace.
The Astros second baseman shared his exchange with the zealous fan with CultureMap news partner ABC13:
"He just said, 'We need to win, I spent all my money on this ticket,'" Altuve said. "I said, 'Yes, we're trying to win.'"
When asked if he was willing to take a selfie with the soon-to-be-tackled fan, Altuve actually said he was willing, but that's when security swarmed in and smothered and removed the fan.
Of course, the city can laugh about the moment now was the Astros went on to beat the Yankees 3-2, thanks to a 3-run Breggy Bomb by Alex Bregman and stalwart pitching by Framber Valdez. Fans charging games is common in sports, but can be dangerous to players — and fans — and can lead to prosecution for the offenders as well as being roughed up by security details.
Meanwhile, The 'Stros are two games up as they head to New York for Games 3 and 4, Saturday and Sunday for what Houstonians are hoping is a clean, 4-0 sweep.
Fans catching those games can hit these popular spots that CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler recommends; be sure to arrive decked out in our favorite Astros gear.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.