Alvarez Tied for the MLB Home Run Lead After April and the Astros Are Finally Getting Hot

Yordan Alvarez finished the month of April exactly where every baseball fan should have him on their radar. The Houston Astros slugger went 3-for-4 with his 12th home run of the season, tying him for the MLB lead, and scored three runs as the Astros beat the Baltimore Orioles 11-5 on Thursday to split a doubleheader.

This is the kind of early-season statement you notice. Alvarez is doing damage every time he steps in the box, and at the one-month mark, he's matching the hottest bats in baseball. The Astros needed this split badly, and they got it in the second game after dropping the first game of the twin bill.

Lance McCullers Jr. Puts Together a Quality Start

Lance McCullers Jr. gave the Astros what they needed on the mound, pitching six innings and allowing just three runs on two hits. He struck out nine batters and walked four. That's the kind of outing that keeps you in games and lets the bats carry you through. McCullers Jr. improved to 2-2 on the season.

The Astros' Bats Showed Up When It Mattered

It wasn't just Alvarez carrying the load. Cam Smith launched an early three-run homer to get the Astros rolling, and Yainer Diaz collected three hits. The Astros finished with 15 total hits in the game. Leody Taveras added a two-run double, and Isaac Paredes went a scorching 5-for-10 across the doubleheader. That's the kind of offensive depth that makes a team dangerous.

Houston's bats came alive when it mattered most, salvaging the finale of the three-game series and sending a message that they're ready to push forward into May. With Alvarez tied for the MLB lead in home runs and role players stepping up across the board, the Astros have momentum heading into the next stretch.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.