Matijevic remembers encounter with Cole

As the Astros and starter Cristian Javier prepared for a rematch against Yankees starter Gerrit Cole on Saturday, the man who authored Houston’s only run-scoring hit against

Cole during their regular season clash prepared to sit idle in the dugout.

Rookie infielder J.J. Matijevic did not make the Astros’ 26-man roster for either of their playoff series against the Mariners or Yankees, but has traveled with the team throughout the postseason as part of the taxi squad.

It was in that capacity that Matijevic returned on Saturday to Yankee Stadium, where on June 25 in his seventh career MLB game he crushed a monster, 403-foot home run off Cole and into the second deck.

Matijevic’s home run represented the only run the Astros scored against Cole in seven innings that day, as Javier and two relievers teamed to throw a no-hitter in Houston’s 3-0 win.

“Definitely it’s up there,” Matijevic said when asked where the home run falls among his favorite career memories. “It was a great moment, my mom and my fiancé were here so it was even more special.”

Matijevic homered for each of his first two major-league hits, and after his blast against Cole did not hit another long shot through 25 more games played for the Astros this season.

After Matijevic took pregame fielding practice on Saturday, he laughed off a question about whether he would whisper advice to his teammates before they stepped into teh on-deck circle to face Cole.

“Nah, I’ll just be here cheering ‘em on and being here for the guys,” he said. “It’s a great environment, and it’s really special to be here and be part of this team watching. I’m really excited to be in the dugout, watch the game and see how everyone does.”