Jose Altuve passes Jeff Bagwell on the all-time hits list as the Astros beat the Rockies 5-3 on July 3, 2025. Read how his historic hit secured the win.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In the thin air of Coors Field, Jose Altuve climbed a mountain of his own. On a night the Houston Astros secured their 12th consecutive series win by beating the Rockies 5-3, the legendary second baseman etched his name deeper into franchise lore, delivering a go-ahead single in the sixth inning that moved him past Jeff Bagwell for second place on the Astros' all-time hits list.
With 2,315 career hits, Jose Altuve has surpassed Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell. Only Craig Biggio (3,060) remains ahead of him in Houston Astros history.
It was a moment made for the history books. With the game tied in the sixth, Altuve stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch two-run single, not only giving the Astros a lead they wouldn't relinquish but also collecting his 2,315th career hit. The hit pushed him past Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell, a monumental achievement for the face of the franchise. Altuve finished the night 2-for-5, a fitting performance on a historic evening where his impact was felt both in the box score and the record books.
While Altuve's milestone stole the headlines, the victory was a true team effort. Rookie Shay Whitcomb provided an early spark, launching his first career MLB home run—a colossal 451-foot blast in the second inning. On the mound, Hunter Brown was brilliant, earning his ninth win (9-3) with six strong innings, allowing just two runs while striking out eight. The outing was a milestone for him as well, as he recorded his 500th career strikeout in just his 86th appearance. Meanwhile, Cam Smith provided steady offense, going 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs.
The celebration was tempered by more tough news on the injury front. The Astros placed infielder Luis Guillorme on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain, just as they learned shortstop Jeremy Peña is dealing with a small rib fracture that will keep him out until just before the All-Star break. The most significant blow was the update on Yordan Alvarez, whose slow recovery from a fractured hand led to his transfer to the 60-day IL, a major setback for the team's biggest bat. With 14 players now on the injured list, the team's depth is being tested like never before.
With closer Josh Hader unavailable, the Astros turned to Bennett Sousa to lock down the ninth inning, and he delivered his third save of the season. Sousa has quietly become one of the most reliable arms in the bullpen, posting a stellar 1.95 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP across 32.1 innings. His emergence has been critical for a team navigating injuries and looking for stability in high-leverage situations.
Despite the mounting injuries, the Astros' 'next man up' mentality is on full display. Their ability to win, celebrate historic moments, and find contributions from unexpected places is the mark of a true contender. As they push towards the All-Star break, Houston isn't just surviving; they're thriving, proving their resilience one series win at a time.
