José Altuve powers Astros past Twins as Yordan Alvarez delivers clutch hit

José Altuve delivers clutch performance as Astros edge Twins

José Altuve hit a two-run single and sparked a late rally as the Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 5-3 on Friday night at Minute Maid Park. The win tightens Houston’s grip on a playoff spot.

What happened in Houston’s 5-3 win

Altuve went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, including a go-ahead single in the sixth off Twins reliever Caleb Thielbar. Yordan Alvarez followed with a two-run double in the seventh to seal the deal. The Astros’ bullpen held firm after starter Cristian Javier allowed three runs in 5.2 innings.

Why it matters for José Altuve

The 32-year-old second baseman has been steady all season, batting .312 with 12 homers and 50 RBIs. Friday’s clutch hit extended his streak of seasons with at least 10 homers and 50 RBIs to nine straight. The Astros remain in the hunt for the AL West title.

What comes next for the Astros

Houston wraps up a three-game set against Minnesota on Saturday. They’ll look to keep the momentum going behind Framber Valdez, who’s 8-3 with a 3.12 ERA this year. The Twins, meanwhile, fall to 42-47 and drift further from contention.