2023 AL West race: Astros punish Rangers and take sole possession of 1st in the division

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Jose Altuve made more history on Tuesday, exactly a week after hitting for his first-career cycle, to support the Houston Astros earning sole possession of the AL West's top spot for the first time this season.

The star second baseman launched home runs in each of his first three at-bats, accounting for three of the nine runs scored by the Astros to begin the second game of three in Arlington against the Texas Rangers en route to a 14-1 victory.

Altuve's three long balls actually extended a four home-run streak dating back to his final at-bat in the ninth inning against the Rangers on Monday, when he launched two homers in that game.

Tuesday marked just the second time in the 32-year-old's MLB career that he has hit three homers in a game.

Altuve also became the first Astro in franchise history to hit five home runs in six at-bats, dating back to Monday.

But it wasn't just Altuve. Catcher Martin Maldonado crushed two home runs and slugger Yordan Alvarez launched one of his own as part of a night that the Astros registered 20 hits off of Rangers pitching.

Houston, who entered Tuesday night's contest tied with Seattle in a one-game lead over Texas for the AL West's top spot, cruised also due to a solid Framber Valdez start. He allowed six hits and just one earned run through 98 pitches. Houston combined to score 27 runs in its two victories during this series in Arlington.

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With the win, the Astros earned sole possession of the division's first place, thanks in part to a comeback win by the Cincinnati Reds over Seattle on Tuesday night.

Houston closes its regular season series against the Rangers with a big pitching matchup between former Mets teammates on Wednesday: Justin Verlander vs. Max Scherzer.