MLB roundup: Altuve’s late homer lifts Astros; Yamamoto flirts with no-hitter in busy Saturday slate
MLB roundup: Altuve’s eighth-inning homer lifts Astros; Yamamoto’s near no-hitter powers Dodgers; Goldschmidt’s ninth-inning blast capped Saturday’s action.
Major League Baseball’s Saturday slate produced late drama, power surges and near-misses across multiple ballparks in an MLB roundup that saw Jose Altuve’s eighth-inning homer help Houston slip past Kansas City. The Astros’ win came amid a lengthy weather delay and capped a series of big swings that highlighted a day of homers and tight finishes. Several other clubs recorded comeback wins, pitching milestones and notable injuries as the regular season continues to unfold.
Altuve’s eighth-inning homer and chaotic ninth lift Astros
Jose Altuve delivered a tying home run in the eighth inning, and Houston capitalized on a Royals miscue in the ninth to secure an 8-7 victory at Kauffman Stadium. The Astros belted four homers in a game interrupted by a 91-minute tornado-warning delay, marking their third straight multi-homer contest and the tenth long ball in that span.
Starter Mike Burrows allowed five runs in five-plus innings and has now given up 18 homers this season, the most in the American League, while Bryan King worked a hitless eighth and Bryan Abreu recorded his fifth save. The Royals’ error on a potential inning-ending double play in the ninth produced the game-winning run when Joey Loperfido scored.
Yamamoto nearly completes no-hit gem as Dodgers bounce back
Yoshinobu Yamamoto retired 23 batters and carried a no-hit bid into the ninth before the White Sox finally reached him, yet the Los Angeles Dodgers still rallied for a 7-1 win in Chicago. A two-out throwing error ended the eighth, and Tristan Peters opened the ninth with a home run that spoiled the no-hitter but not the final result.
Max Muncy delivered a two-homer game and drove in four, while Shohei Ohtani returned to the lineup with a leadoff homer after missing a game with knee inflammation. Yamamoto struck out seven and departed to a standing ovation after 109 pitches, earning his fourth straight victory in a stretch of impressive starts.
Cardinals’ offense erupts; rookie Jordan homers in win over Twins
St. Louis relied on a flurry of power to topple Minnesota, with Iván Herrera connecting twice and Blaze Jordan hitting his first major-league home run in just his second big-league game. The Cardinals broke a seventh-inning tie with back-to-back homers and later added a three-run shot as part of a multi-homer attack that produced a decisive win.
Jordan, who debuted Friday, continued a hot start with a triple and multiple RBIs, while Twins reliever Justin Lawrence surrendered a string of hits that flipped the game in the Cardinals’ favor. Minnesota’s bullpen struggles resurfaced and the loss compounded a difficult stretch for the club.
Goldschmidt’s ninth-inning blast gives Yankees win in Toronto
Paul Goldschmidt supplied a tiebreaking, 400-foot homer in the ninth inning, lifting the New York Yankees to a late win in Toronto and handing the Blue Jays a tough defeat. The drive came off closer Louis Varland and snapped a scoreless tie, punctuating a game that featured strong starting pitching from both sides.
Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler allowed one run and six hits over seven innings while Kevin Gausman turned in seven strong frames for Toronto. New York’s bullpen held after the late blow, and David Bednar closed with a scoreless ninth for his 14th save in 16 chances.
Late-inning heroes and tight pitching decisions across the league
Several other ballgames were decided in the late innings as role players stepped up around the majors Saturday. Noelvi Marte’s go-ahead homer in the eighth lifted Cincinnati past Arizona, while Pittsburgh advanced when Spencer Horwitz was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the eighth to break a tie with Miami. Washington’s Luis GarcÃa Jr. broke a fifth-inning deadlock with a two-run shot that helped the Nationals pull away from Seattle.
Rhett Lowder returned from a shoulder layoff with a strong outing for Cincinnati, and several closers converted key saves, including Raisel Iglesias and Jhoan Duran. The day also featured offensive shows such as Philadelphia’s six-run sixth and San Diego’s multi-homer attack in Baltimore.
Injuries, debuts and club movements highlighted Saturday’s headlines
Saturday’s action included notable roster developments and setbacks as teams managed injuries and promoted prospects. Cleveland’s José RamÃrez suffered a fractured hamate bone, a swing-related injury that will sideline the star third baseman for an indefinite period. By contrast, rookie Blaze Jordan provided an immediate spark for St. Louis with his first career homer and multiple-run performances.
Off the field, the Oakland A’s continued their Las Vegas homestand at Las Vegas Ballpark — a preview of the club’s planned move to a new stadium in the city in 2028 — and celebrated a fourth straight comeback victory. Several clubs also saw veteran pitchers return from surgery or the injured list, producing mixed results but offering hopeful signs for their rotations.
Saturday’s slate underscored the season’s recurring themes: power hitting, late-inning decision-making and the thin margins created by bullpen performances and timely defense. Teams will carry those outcomes into Sunday’s games as the race for divisional positioning and postseason positioning continues to tighten.
