American League West

Heyward, Houston Astros Clinch AL West Title

Total Apex

Jason Heyward’s two-run home run will go down in Houston Astros lore as he and his Astros teammates secured another American League West Division title on Tuesday night. Heyward’s smash off the right-center field facade helped the Astros defeat the Seattle Mariners 4-3.

Framber Valdez managed to make it through 5 2/3 innings to get the victory. Bryan Abreu came on to get four outs, Ryan Pressly secured two outs, and Josh Hader came on in the bottom of the eighth inning. Hader, the big free-agent signing in the offseason, did what he was signed to do. He shut down Mariners hitters over the last four outs, leading the Astros to celebrate another division title.

Jason Heyward Delivered For Houston Astros

Houston Astros, Jason Heyward, Seattle Mariners
Sep 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Jason Heyward (22) reacts after hitting a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Before hitting his clutch home run, Jason Heyward made the defensive play of the night, too. He ran back to catch up to Cal Raleigh’s fly ball for the second out in the fifth inning. Heyward caught the ball for the Houston Astros. But he slammed into the Astros’ manual metal scoreboard at Minute Maid Park, sending him falling onto his back. He ended up knocking out a panel with his left hand, too.

Valdez looked out from the mound, giving Heyward his props for making a catch. But second baseman Jose Altuve, third baseman Alex Bregman, and other Astros players headed out to check on him. Astros manager Joe Espada and a team trainer also went out to check on Heyward. He flexed his left hand, making sure it could still be effective in the outfield. Heyward took a ball and threw it into the Crawford Boxes. He was good to go, and that’s a good thing.

Valdez (15-7) allowed three runs and eight hits to pick up the win, The Associated Press reported.

Besides Heyward, Bregman slammed a home run to straightaway center field. Tucker smacked a solo homer that just cleared the right-field wall near the foul pole. Heyward has been filling in for Yordan Alvarez, who will miss the Seattle series with his right knee strain. Don’t be surprised if Alvarez simply sits out the final four regular-season games, too. Houston doesn’t want to rush him back in the lineup at this point.

When Hader struck out Seattle shortstop Julio Rodriguez for the game’s final out, it turned into party time—once again—for the Houston Astros. They secured their fourth straight American League West Division title. The Astros are going to the postseason for the eighth straight year.

“Everybody in here’s a winner and knows what it takes to win,” Bregman, who’s been on each of the last seven division winners, said, MLB.com reported. “That’s the most important thing this group has is we know how to win baseball games and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

What’s amazing about this year’s team is that the Astros got off to a 10-24 start. Espada was getting heat in his first year as a big-league manager, taking over after Dusty Baker retired after the 2023 season. The Astros also were not seeing their key players like Bregman, Altuve, and first baseman Jose Abreu contributing. Astros general manager Dana Brown ultimately made the call to put Abreu on the designated for assignment list. No one picked him up, so Abreu has been out of the majors since his release.

Mexico City Series Changed Trajectory

So, the Astros played a two-game series against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City. After the team swept the brief series, the Astros players got together and had a heart-to-heart talk. The Astros, the one that their fans and close MLB followers have come to love and hate, started making their way back into the AL West race.

On June 18, the Astros were 10 games behind the Mariners. There were plenty of people who simply said that the Houston Astros would not win this season. Injuries to starting pitchers Justin Verlander, Luis Garcia, and others called on Espada and pitching coach Josh Miller to make some changes. Spener Arrighetti and Hunter Brown were pushed in position as starting pitchers. To say that Arrighetti and Brown fell short of delivering the goods would be a mistake.

They both pitched masterfully, especially with the amount of time (not much) they had in the big leagues. Brown made a major pickup near the trade deadline, giving up prospects like Joey Loperfido to Toronto for left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi. All Kikuchi has done is pitch wonderfully for the Astros.

Tucker, who has just returned to the Astros’ starting lineup, had been out since June with a right shin fracture. The word was out that Tucker had a shin contusion, but that was not true. Outfielder Ben Gamel, who is out for the rest of the season with a leg injury, played well when filling in for Tucker.

First baseman Jon Singleton got a fresh start with the Astros after Abreu was sent packing. Singleton has provided more production at the plate than Abreu did. He’s also managed to provide a steady glove as well there, too.

For now, though, the Houston Astros have a little time to rest and celebrate what they have accomplished. The Astros and Mariners will finish up their three-game series on Wednesday afternoon. Then, the Astros wrap up their regular season with a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on the road.

Their haters and detractors are going to still look at the Astros and fume over the team’s success. But all they are continuing to do, in spite of that, is remember on the old saying from late Oakland/Los Angeles/Las Vegas Raiders owner Al Davis.

Just win, baby.

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