Alvarez keeps his roll going
Rookie Yordan Alvarez celebrates after
HOUSTON — Yordan Alvarez has quickly become a huge hit for the injury-depleted Astros.
The 21-year-old rookie from Cuba homered again, connecting for an upperdeck shot Saturday to send the Astros over the Blue Jays 7-2.
Alvarez became the fourth player in major league history to hit four home runs in his first five games. He joined Trevor Story, who hit six for Colorado in 2016, Yasiel Puig (Dodgers, 2013) and Mike Jacobs (Mets, 2005).
“Certainly, I didn’t expect it,” Alvarez said through a translator. “But obviously, I’ve worked to get to this point. Everything that I do I have high expectations for myself based off the work that I’ve done to get to this point.”
Alvarez got three hits, making him 8-for-17 in his brief career. He has driven in eight runs, scored eight times and also has drawn six walks.
“I’m probably having as hard a time describing him as you’re having writing about him,” manager AJ Hinch said. “He’s having an enormous impact for us, that goes without saying. It’s been very impressive to watch him methodically go about his business as a much more experienced player than he is.”
Alvarez played left field after starting as the designated hitter in his first four games.
Jack Mayfield, a fellow rookie who had three doubles, played with Alvarez at Triple-A Round Rock.
“He’s like a rookie inside a veteran’s body,” Mayfield said. “He’s a monster up there. The pitchers know what he’s got already, and he’s still getting all those hits and homers.”
■ Yankees: The Yankees neared a trade for Seattle slugger Edwin Encarnacion on Saturday night, looking to boost a powerpacked lineup beset by injuries. A person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press the teams were trying to complete the deal. It was not immediately known what the Yankees might send to the Mariners. The 36-yearold Encarnacion began the day leading the AL with 21 home runs.
■ Braves: Dallas Keuchel’s second start in the minors since signing with the Braves was a little more of a struggle than his first. The 31-year-old left-hander gave up three runs and 11 hits over seven innings for Double-A Mississippi of the Southern League. He struck out four and walked one, throwing 106 pitches, including 74 strikes. Keuchel said he felt good physically and would have a discussion with the Braves front office to see if his next outing would be in the majors or with another minor-league affiliate.
■ Reds: Rookie Nick Senzel fouled a pitch off his left eye and came out of the game against the Rangers. The outfielder fouled a pitch from Mike Minor into the dirt, the ball deflecting off his foot and hitting the bill of his helmet and his eye. A trainer applied a towel and helped him off the field. Senzel was the second overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Tennessee. He hit three homers in his first four games, a franchise record.
■ Angels: Charlie Morton’s luck finally ran out. He suffered his first loss in 22 starts when the Angels hit three homers in a 5-3 victory over the Rays. It was his first loss since Aug. 11, when he was with the Astros. He struck out nine in six innings, giving up four runs on five hits, including a couple of home runs. David Fletcher, Justin Bour and Kevan Smith homered for the Angels.
■ Giants: Catcher Steven Vogt hit two triples and left fielder Mike Yastrzemski made a nifty catch for the final out to help the Giants beat the Brewers 8-7. The Giants rallied from a 5-1 deficit for their fourth straight win. Christian Yelich hit his major leagueleading 26th homer for the Brewers, who have lost three of four. Yelich connected for a solo drive with two outs in the ninth and Ryan Braun followed with a single for his third hit. Yasmani Grandal then hit a drive to left-center field, but Yastrzemski made a diving grab to end it.
■ Padres: The Padres know the reputation of Coors Field all too well. Comebacks are always possible — like one for the ages Friday night. Hunter Renfroe hit his third homer of the game in the 12th inning after Fernando Tatis Jr. tied it as part of a six-run rally in the ninth in a 16-12 victory over the Rockies. The Padres had never overcome a deficit of six or more runs in the ninth, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Tatis led off the 12th with a triple and scored on Austin Allen’s double off Jairo Diaz (1-1). Manny Machado added an RBI double and Renfroe hit a towering tworun homer to wrap up an improbable win. Renfroe also had a solo shot in the second and two-run homer in the ninth.