San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Astro Alvarez’s 4th homer puts him in select company
Yordan Alvarez has quickly become a huge hit for the injury-depleted Houston Astros.
The 21-year-old rookie from Cuba homered again, connecting for an upper-deck shot Saturday to send the Astros over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 7-2.
Alvarez became the fourth player in majorleague 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 an interpreter. “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 drawn six walks.
“It’s been very impressive to watch him methodically go about his business as a much more experienced player than he is,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said.
Alvarez played left field after starting as the designated hitter in his first four games.
D’backs 10, Nationals 3: Ketel Marte hit two of visiting Arizona’s four solo homers off Stephen Strasburg.
Cubs 2, Dodgers 1: In Los Angeles, Chicago’s Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run homer off Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning. The Dodgers’ Walker Buehler and the Cubs’ Yu Darvish each allowed two hits in seven innings. Darvish was booed in his first game at Dodger Stadium since getting roughed up in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series when he pitched for L.A.
Rangers 4, Reds 3: Jeff Mathis had two hits and drove in a run, and Mike Minor pitched into the seventh inning for visiting Texas. Reds rookie Nick Senzel fouled a pitch off his left eye and departed, getting several stitches above the eye.
Red Sox 7, Orioles 2: Chris Sale struck out 10 over six sharp innings, and J.D. Martinez homered in a third straight game for visiting Boston. Marlins 4, Pirates 3: Pablo Lopez allowed three runs in seven strong innings as host Miami defeated Pittsburgh.
Indians 4, Tigers 2: Shane Bieber pitched impressively into the eighth inning, and Leonys Martin stole home to lift Cleveland in Detroit.
Rockies 14, Padres 8: Charlie Blackmon finished with four hits for the third straight game, Ian Desmond hit a grand slam and drove in five runs, and host Colorado beat San Diego in another wild Coors Field game.
Yankees 8, White Sox 4: Gleyber Torres hit a two-run homer and visiting New York improved to 5-0 when using an opening pitcher.
Phillies 6, Braves 5: Carlos Hernandez drove in two runs with a ninth-inning single for visiting Philadelphia. Braves starter Sean Newcomb left after being hit in the back of the head by a line drive from J.T. Realmuto. He walked off under his own power.
Twins 5, Royals 4: C.J. Cron drove in the go-ahead run for host Minnesota with a sixthinning double, making Jake Odorizzi the second 10-game winner in the majors. Mets 8, Cardinals 7: Second baseman Jeff McNeil made a game-saving throw from right field to home plate for the final out for host New York. Mets starter Noah Syndergaard left in the seventh with a strained right hamstring.
Angels 5, Rays 3: Tampa Bay’s Charlie Morton lost for the first time in 22 starts and visiting L.A. hit three homers.
Briefly: The Yankees acquired slugger Edwin Encarnacion in a trade with the Mariners. The Yankees also got cash in the deal while sending 19-year-old minor-league pitcher Juan Then to Seattle. Encarnacion, 36, leads the American League with 21 home runs . ... The Cubs put starter Kyle Hendricks (right shoulder inflammation) on the 10-day injured list . ... The Angels designated Cody Allen for assignment, a day after the longtime Indians closer gave up four runs in a 9-4 loss to Tampa Bay.
FRIDAY NIGHT
Padres 16, Rockies 12: 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, and visiting San Diego stunned Colorado.