Jose Altuve's 19th homer led the Astros past the Marlins on Aug 5, 2025. See how the win pads Houston's AL West lead and what it means for the division race.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another day, another display of power from the heart of the Astros' lineup. Jose Altuve ignited the offense against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, launching a two-run homer that served as the centerpiece of another crucial victory. The win pads Houston's lead atop the AL West, sending a clear message that the road to the division title still runs through Minute Maid Park.
With their win on August 4, the Astros improved to 63-50, cementing their first-place position in the American League West.
The defining moment of Tuesday's game was pure, classic Altuve. The veteran second baseman turned on a pitch and sent it soaring into the left-field seats for his 19th home run of the season, scoring Jesus Sanchez ahead of him. It was exactly the kind of timely power hit that has defined this recent surge for the Astros, who are building on the momentum from their 8-2 series-opening win. While Altuve provided the fireworks, the team's success is a group effort, with players like Jeremy Peña (.324 AVG) and power bats Isaac Paredes (19 HR) and Christian Walker (15 HR, 59 RBI) consistently driving the offense.
In a head-scratching but ultimately beneficial move, the Astros have re-signed first baseman Jon Singleton to a minor-league deal. This comes just six days after Singleton quit the team following his designation for assignment. Cooler heads have prevailed, and the veteran will now provide valuable depth at Triple-A Sugar Land, reporting to the Space Cowboys for their series in Salt Lake City. It's a strange chapter in a season full of them, but it keeps a familiar power bat within the organization for the stretch run.
The Singleton signing is part of a broader roster shuffle following the trade deadline. Infielder Zack Short, another player recently designated for assignment to make room for new acquisitions, has officially cleared waivers. He was outrighted to Triple-A Sugar Land and, while he has the option to elect free agency, is expected to remain with the Space Cowboys. These moves demonstrate the front office's strategy: fortify the major league club at the deadline while working to retain as much organizational depth as possible for the inevitable bumps and bruises that come in August and September.
With the offense firing on all cylinders and the roster depth being carefully managed, the Astros are in an enviable position. They control their own destiny in the AL West. The focus now shifts to finishing the series strong against the Marlins and continuing to build a cushion in the standings. Every game, every at-bat, and every roster move from here on out is about one thing: preparing for another deep run in October.
