Yordan Alvarez hits 50th homer, Astros shut out Twins 4-0

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit the 50th home run of his career, rookie Luis Garcia pitched six scoreless innings, and three relievers completed the four-hitter to help the Houston Astros to a 4-0 win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.

The victory snaps a three-game skid for the Astros, who entered the game having dropped five of six.

Alvarez, who was playing in his 184th career game, reached 50 home runs faster than any player in franchise history, passing Lance Berkman, who did it in his 231st game in 2001.

“Yordan is a force and he’s only going to get better," manager Dusty Baker said. “We’ve come to expect the big blow from Yordan, and he’s given it to us. His future is very, very bright."

The Astros were up by a run when Alvarez connected on his homer off Michael Pineda (4-7) with no outs in the fourth to make it 2-0. Alvarez ranks second on the team with 22 home runs this season.

Alvarez is thrilled to be back this season after he was limited to just two games last season because of injuries to both his knees.

“That’s the main goal just stay healthy, and the results will take care of themselves," he said through a translator.

His shot pushed the team’s streak of consecutive games with a homer to 17, which is the longest in the majors since 2019. The Astros have hit 31 home runs in that span, dating to July 19.

Garcia (8-6) permitted two hits and struck out eight to get back on track after allowing eight hits and five runs in 4 2/3 innings in his last start. Ryne Stanek gave up one hit in the seventh, and newly acquired Kendall Graveman did the same in the eighth. Ryan Pressly pitched a perfect ninth to complete the shutout.

Kyle Tucker and Aledmys Díaz hit consecutive singles to start the second and get things going for the Astros before Tucker...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Yordan-Alvarez-hits-50th-homer-Astros-shut-out-16372286.php