Altuve slam in 10th lifts Astros over Rangers on Baker B-day

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston manager Dusty Baker capped his 72nd birthday in grand fashion, thanks to a slam by Jose Altuve in the 10th inning on Tuesday night.

“That was a wonderful birthday present," Baker said.

Altuve belted a grand slam and the Houston Astros, saved by Carlos Correa's tying homer in the ninth, beat the Texas Rangers 6-3.

After Texas drove in the automatic runner in the top of the 10th for a 3-2 lead, Rangers rookie reliever Demarcus Evans (0-2) walked Myles Straw and pinch-hitter Jason Castro to load the bases with no outs in the bottom half.

Altuve then launched his soaring shot into left field to put the Astros on top and start the party.

Altuve was doused with water at home plate before sharing a hug with Baker, who noted that he's had terrible luck in games on his birthday in the past.

“The first thing Altuve said to me was: ‘Happy birthday, Skip,'" Baker said. “And that certainly was a happy birthday."

Added Altuve: “I know he wants to win on his birthday, so I’m happy that I did something to make that happen."

It was the first walk-off grand slam in the majors this season. The Astros hadn't had a last at-bat grand slam since Aug. 16, 2011, when Brian Bogusevic, who was at the park Tuesday as a television analyst, connected off Carlos Marmol in a 6-5 win over the Cubs.

Texas manager Chris Woodward said things began to unravel for Evans way before Altuve's shot.

“You put the winning run on first base and you’re asking for it," he said. “He has good enough stuff that he could have punched out Castro and maybe gotten Altuve. (Evans) has got to be better than that."

Correa hit a solo homer to the opposite field shot with two outs and two strikes in the ninth off Josh Sborz, making it 2-all.

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