Astros' Alvarez hits grand slam, 2-run HR in 1st
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- Yordan Alvarez launched a two-run opposite-field homer early in the first inning, then cleared the bases with a two-out grand slam to center, finishing with six RBIs in a nine-run frame for the Houston Astros against the Kansas City Royals on Friday night.
- Alvarez joined an elite list: since the RBI became an official stat in 1920, only he and Hall of Famer David Ortiz (2008) have hit two homers and recorded six RBIs in a single first inning, per ESPN Research.
- Alvarez, the AL home run leader entering the game, is now tied with Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber for the MLB lead at 24 homers.
- The 28-year-old designated hitter from Cuba was the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year, a three-time All-Star, the 2021 ALCS MVP, and led the Astros with six RBIs during their 2022 World Series run.
- ESPN Research confirmed the historical context, noting that only two players in the modern era have matched Alvarez's first-inning power display.
Why it matters: Alvarez's six-RBI first inning moved him into a tie for the MLB home run lead at 24 and placed him in company with Hall of Famer David Ortiz as the only players since 1920 to go deep twice and drive in six in a single opening frame — a statistical milestone that underscores his status as the AL's most dangerous power hitter this season.
