HOUSTON After a video tribute was shown on the Jumbotron prior to the game, former Astros standout Alex Bregman was given a standing ovation at Houston’s Daikin Park.
When he onto the field for the first time in the first inning, he heard applause once more and tipped his helmet in recognition of the crowd he performed for from 2016 to 24.
Then, to jeers, he hit a home run on the third pitch he saw in his first at-bat.
It was fantastic. I adored it. According to Bregman, I adored it. I hoped they would.
After Bregman’s return, the Red Sox lost 7–6. The 31-year-old third baseman went 2-for-4 after agreeing to a three-year, $120 million deal with the Red Sox in February.
In that case, why did he want the Astros supporters to jeer at him?
Bregman stated, “just because it’s two good teams going after it.” Their goal is to triumph. Do you understand? As if both teams are desperate to win. It’s enjoyable. It’s good. It benefits the game.
Boston led 2-0 after his home run in the first inning. On an 80.8 mph sweeper from Astros righty Cristian Javier, who was making his first start following a protracted recovery from Tommy John surgery, it traveled 350 feet with an exit velocity of 95.5 mph.
Bregman remarked, “Just fired up, just pumped up.” In the major leagues, hitting a home run is always a unique experience. However, it was very awesome to be able to do that first at-bat back here. A really awesome occasion that I will always remember.
He referred to the tribute film as a “great moment.”
I simply tried to take everything in. I made a sincere effort to enjoy it, as AC (manager Alex Cora) advised. And that was a unique occasion.
His favorite part of Monday, though, was watching his team rally in the seventh inning after the first two batters were promptly retired.
It was 7-3 after Abraham Toro hit a single home run. Masataka Yoshida and Ceddanne Rafaela then trimmed it to 7-4 with consecutive doubles. Roman Anthony hit a two-run homer to right-center field to make it 7-6.
Bregman remarked, “I think the fight in the group today was what I was most proud of.” Naturally, we fight back after losing 7–2. That was excellent. And good baseball teams do just that. And it was very fantastic to get a chance there in the ninth with a player in scoring position.
Josh Hader, a closer for the Astros, was out because of shoulder pain. Enyel De Los Santos made his Astros debut and was deployed by Houston for his second club this season for the last out of the eighth inning and the first two outs of the ninth. De Los Santos was then replaced by lefty Bennett Sousa, who ended it by striking out Anthony.
Bregman was in the on-deck circle when the game ended.
Bregman stated, “I’m just praying for that at-bat.” Imagining a game on the line is entertaining. However, I thought tonight’s at-bats were excellent overall, both up and down the lineup. Roman might have easily hit two home runs today, after all. Most places have lost the ball he hit to center field. This is not where the ball flies to center field. Two balls were narrowly missed by Wily (Abreu) to right field. Toro’s swing was excellent. Both Ceddanne and Jarren (Duran) are on base twice. It was a great day, in my opinion. We need to win tomorrow only.
