MLB

Astros’ Altuve on the kind of run not seen in 100 years

HOUSTON — To Houston manager Bo Porter, there’s no one playing better in the majors right now than Jose Altuve.

The Astros second baseman shied away from agreeing with his skipper. Instead, he kept up his impressive show.

Altuve got three more hits and stole two bases Sunday as the Astros defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-4.

Altuve finished the three-game series 9 for 14 to improve his average to an AL-best .347 and leads big leagues with 116 hits. He’s already stolen a career-high 36 bases — he swiped second in the first inning, and set a franchise record with a steal in six straight games.

“I’ve seen some players locked in in all my years of playing,” Porter said. “But the impact with which Jose Altuve is having on the baseball game, I would have to really sit down and think about or have some numbers put in front of me that would make me think that there is someone who’s had more of an impact on a baseball game the way he’s having an impact right now.”

Altuve took the compliment in stride, saying, “He’s my manager, he has to say that.”

“I have to be ready every game to get on base,” he said. “I know the guys that I have behind me, if I get on base, something good is going to happen.”

Altuve became the third player since 1904 with four straight games with multiple steals, joining Ray Chapman in 1917 and Bill Dahlen in 1904, according information from the Elias Sports Bureau provided by the Astros.

“I’m going to try to keep getting on base, and if I have a chance to take the next base, I am going to do it,” Altuve said.