Yordan Alvarez had a standout performance, hitting two home runs and tallying three hits overall, while Kyle Tucker also contributed with a homer as the Houston Astros defeated the Colorado Rockies 12-4 in the inaugural game of the Mexico City Series on Saturday night.
Yainer Diaz had a strong showing with three hits, while Tucker, Mauricio Dubon, and Jose Abreu each collected two hits to contribute to the victory. Ronel Blanco (3-0) pitched well, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out eight batters over 5 2/3 innings for Houston, helping the team break a five-game losing streak.
Ryan McMahon homered for the Rockies, and Nolan Jones added two hits.
Although the Rockies took an early lead in the first inning with McMahon’s two-run homer, Houston responded in the second with an RBI double from Trey Cabbage. Alvarez then gave the Astros the lead in the third with a two-run homer, followed by Tucker’s solo shot to make it 4-2.
The Astros added to their lead in the sixth inning, forcing Rockies starter Cal Quantrill out of the game. Tucker, Jeremy Pena, and Diaz all singled to load the bases, leading to an RBI single from Dubon and a run scored on a double play.
Quantrill (0-3) struggled, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over five-plus innings.
In the fifth inning, the Rockies appeared to narrow the gap, but a baserunning error negated a run-scoring play. Despite loading the bases in the sixth inning, the Rockies failed to capitalize as reliever Seth Martinez struck out Ezequiel Tovar to end the threat.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72449791/1528786206.0.jpg)
The Astros added two more runs in the eighth inning, with Diaz reaching base and Pena scoring on an error, followed by an RBI single from Abreu. Houston further extended their lead in the ninth inning, with Alvarez hitting his seventh home run of the season and Dubon driving in another run with a double. Abreu and Chas McCormick added RBI singles to cap off the scoring for the Astros.
Although the Rockies managed to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Astros’ offensive onslaught.
