Yordan Alvarez Oct 11, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (top) and catcher Christian Vazquez (9) and center fielder Mauricio Dubon (14) celebrate after designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hit a walk-off three-run home run against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning in game one of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
MLBBy Arthur Weinstein on

Houston Astros slugger Yordan Álvarez hit one of the most dramatic home runs in MLB postseason history Tuesday evening.

Astros fans and MLB Twitter absolutely loved it.

Seattle Mariners fans did not.

Álvarez’s three-run, walk-off home run off Robbie Ray gave the Astros an improbable 8-7 win in Game 1 of their ALDS.

Álvarez’s blast was historic. According to the Foolish Baseball Twitter account, the home run “had a +91% Win Probability Added, the highest of any play in MLB playoff history. The previous No. 1 home run on that list? Kirk Gibson’s famous home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Oakland Athletics in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

The walk-off home run capped an unlikely rally. The Astros fell behind 4-0 to the Mariners, as Seattle roughed up Houston ace Justin Verlander for 10 hits and six runs in four innings.

But the Astros battled back, and trailed 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth. David Hensley was hit by a pitch with one out, and Jeremy Peña hit a clutch single with two outs to set the stage for Álvarez’s mammoth 438-foot blast into the second deck.

Astros manager Dusty Baker, who’s been around pro baseball since the mid-1960s, told reporters it’s one of the greatest moments he’s seen in the sport.

“I don’t know what the top is, but that’s very, very close to it,” Baker said. “That’s, boy, I mean, the baseball world had to be excited. I know the town is excited, our team’s excited.”

“Everybody knows the team we are and we showed it again,” Álvarez said after the game.

Twitter went berserk after the historic shot.

https://twitter.com/MulliganTM/status/1579975285654827010

While Astros faithful and other baseball fans marveled at the homer, Mariners fans found themselves in a dark place. The Álvarez home run won’t be a moment to cherish; it will be a story to scare their children with if they won’t go to bed. “Get in bed or the Álvarez-man will get you!”

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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