Yordan Alvarez is on another planet after latest Astros heroics

Yordan Alvarez is on another planet after latest Astros heroics originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>There are hot streaks, and then there's whatever Yordan Alvarez is doing right now. The Houston Astros superstar delivered another unforgettable performance on Saturday night, putting the entire offense on his back in a dramatic 10-8 walk-off victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Alvarez finished 3-for-4 with two home runs, six RBIs and the game-winning blast in the bottom of the ninth, continuing what has become one of the most dominant offensive seasons in Major League Baseball.

>For a Houston team fighting to stay in the American League West race, Alvarez once again proved that no deficit feels insurmountable when he's in the lineup.

Alvarez ignites Astros comeback from the very beginningThe Astros found themselves in an early hole after the Rays built a 7-2 lead through four innings. Alvarez was Houston's biggest source of offense from the opening frame. After Jose Altuve tripled to begin the bottom of the first, Alvarez wasted no time, launching a towering two-run homer 403 feet to left-center field to put the Astros on the board.

>He kept the pressure on later in the game. In the fifth inning, Alvarez lined an RBI single to score Altuve and cut into Tampa Bay's advantage. Two innings later, he added a sacrifice fly as Houston clawed all the way back to tie the game at 8-8.

>It set the stage for one more memorable swing.

Walk-off homer caps incredible nightLeading off the bottom of the ninth, Altuve worked a walk to bring Alvarez to the plate with a chance to end the game. He didn't miss. Alvarez crushed a 424-foot home run to straightaway center field, sending Daikin Park into a frenzy and completing one of Houston's biggest comeback wins of the season.

>The two-run blast was his second homer of the night and gave him six RBIs, matching one of the best single-game performances of his career. It was another reminder that when Alvarez gets a chance in a big moment, few hitters in baseball are more dangerous.

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Alvarez continues MVP-caliber campaignThe monster performance pushed Alvarez's season totals to 29 home runs, 67 RBIs and a .324 batting average through 89 games. His 1.078 OPS remains among the best marks in baseball, while his combination of power, patience and consistency continues to put him in the middle of the American League MVP conversation.

>He's also been on an incredible tear lately. Over his last four games, Alvarez has gone 8-for-15 with three home runs and 11 RBIs, showing once again why opposing pitchers have few answers once he settles into a groove.

>Houston still has work to do in the AL West standings, but if Alvarez continues producing at this level, the Astros will believe they have a chance every time he steps onto the field. Saturday night's comeback wasn't just another win, it was the latest masterpiece from a hitter who continues to make the extraordinary look routine.

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