HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez homered twice as the Houston Astros dispatched the New York Mets with ease in a 5-3 win to complete a two-game sweep Wednesday.
Next up, a trip to the Big Apple to face the MLB-leading New York Yankees and slugger Aaron Judge, the only player who’s hit more homers than Alvarez this season.
“Whenever a player goes to New York and plays there, it’s just really exciting with the history of that team and the ballpark,” Alvarez through a translator. “We know they’re a really good team so we’re just going to compete and try to win.”
Alvarez hit two of the season-high three homers allowed by Carrasco (8-3). T The right-hander exited with lower back tightness in the third inning with the Astros up 5-1.
Alvarez, who also homered Tuesday night, now has 21 this season to move into a tie with Mike Trout for second-most in the majors — Judge had 25 going into Wednesday night’s game at Tampa Bay.
The home run barrage by Alvarez in this series comes after he missed Sunday’s game with a minor hand injury.
The 24-year-old Alvarez leads all players with a 1.064 OPS and has hit nine homers in his last 20 games.
Asked if this is the best he’s ever felt at the plate Alvarez thought for a second before answering.
“It could be,” he said with a smile. “I’m not sure.”
Alex Bregman added a two-run homer for the Astros, who won their third straight.
The National League-leading Mets entered this series having won four of five games but continued to struggle in Houston, where they’ve dropped eight in a row.
“It was a great series,” manager Dusty Baker said. “I’m glad we won against a quality, quality team. We got a good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. And now on to New York — another tough one.”
Houston…