Air Yordan makes broken hand return with a bang

The Houston Astros (73-60) got a major boost for the final stretch of the regular season with the return of Yordan Álvarez, and the Cuban wasted no time showing his value. In only his second game back after nearly four months sidelined by a hand fracture, he powered the Astros past the Colorado Rockies (38-95).

‘Air Yordan’ launched his first homer in more than 100 games for Houston, a two-run shot in the eighth inning that set the final score. The designated hitter had been 0-for-1 with two walks before stepping up for his fourth plate appearance.

On a 1-1 count, Álvarez crushed a ball 421 feet at 107 mph off the bat. Brenton Doyle leapt to make the play but crashed into the wall as the ball cleared. It was Álvarez’s fourth home run of the year.

Houston’s other runs came earlier – in the first inning, when Jesús Sánchez singled to drive in Álvarez after he had walked, and again in the seventh, when Cam Smith went deep to left.

Framber Valdez shuts down Colorado

Astros starters have been in form lately, and Framber Valdez was no exception. The Dominican left-hander delivered another quality start, going seven innings while striking out five, giving up just three hits and two walks, and keeping the Rockies scoreless.

The bullpen closed it out with equal authority. Bryan King struck out Kyle Farmer and Doyle after giving up a hit to Tyler Freeman, and Bryan Abreu – now the closer following Josh Hader’s injury – finished the game with a strikeout of Warming Bernabel.