Jose Altuve accomplished an incredible MLB first in Astros' Game 1 win over Twins
There aren't many "firsts" left in baseball, but Houston Astros star infielder Jose Altuve accomplished an incredible one on Saturday.
Facing Minnesota Twins starter Bailey Ober in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, Altuve smashed the first first-pitch homer of a playoff run in MLB History, per ESPN Stats and Info.
Altuve is only the eighth player in MLB history to hit a leadoff home run in game one of their team's postseason and the first since Yandy Diaz in 2019, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com. Meanwhile, it's Altuve's eighth career first-inning playoff home run, the most ever.
The long ball also helped Altuve climb closer to the postseason home run record. With 24, Altuve is only six away from surpassing the all-time leader, Manny Ramirez (29).
Altuve, who finished 1-of-4 on the night, had his historic long ball outshined by a massive game from teammate Yordan Alvarez. Alvarez went 2-of-3 with two homers, knocking in half of the Astros' run in a 6-4 win over the Twins.
After the Astros' Game 1 win, Altuve had high praise for Alvarez, who he called "the best hitter in baseball right now."
"He's going to hit a lot of homers this postseason, and he's going to help us win another World Series," Altuve said via Fox Sports.
Veteran hurler Justin Verlander earned the win on the mound for the Astros, scattering four hits over six innings while striking out six. Leaving with a 5-0 lead, the Twins cut the deficit to 5-4 in the seventh, but the Astros bullpen held strong, with Ryan Pressly closing the game with a two-strikeout save.
The Astros will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead, hosting the Twins for Game 2 Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET.
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