Astros’ Jose Altuve doubles in 3rd inning vs. Phillies for 2,500th career hit

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve doubled in the third inning against Philadelphia on Wednesday night for his 2,500th career hit.

The 36-year-old Altuve reached the milestone with a hit to center field against Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez, becoming the second player in franchise history to reach 2,500 hits. Hall of Famer Craig Biggio is Houston’s all-time leader with 3,060 hits.

“It means a lot, obviously,” he said. “It’s a big number, you know, 2,500. A lot of hits, and you think about all the hits, all the years I’ve been playing here with this amazing organization and my teammates. I’m just thankful to God, my family, my teammates again.”

Every Astros player and coach in the dugout climbed to the top step to applaud Altuve. He even received congratulations from Phillies infielders Trea Turner and Luis Arraez — both former batting champions themselves.

Altuve finished the game 1 for 4, and the Astros lost to Philadelphia 11-7.

“It was a great moment,” Altuve said. “I’m really sad we lost the game, but you know, we come back tomorrow and (try to) get a win.”

Altuve was hitless in Tuesday’s series opener against the Phillies. He had moved to within one of the mark with a three-hit game against Arizona on Sunday.

Altuve, whose career began in 2011, is a three-time batting champ (2014, 2016, 2017) and was the American League MVP in 2017. He has won two World Series titles with the Astros.

“It’s incredible what he’s accomplished in his career, and obviously, he’s not done,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “Twenty-five hundred hits — it’s hard just to get one. It’s hard just to get to the big leagues. And this guy’s been doing it for a very long time.”

Altuve and Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers are the only active players to have 2,500 career hits. Freeman reached the mark earlier this season.

To get to 3,000 hits, Altuve would likely need to play at least three more seasons, if not longer.

“Let’s get one hit at a time,” he said. “I just got this one, and I’m happy about the one that I got tonight. We’ll see what happens in the future.”

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