Houston Astros rookie Raynel Delgado delivered a decisive two-run single during a three-run eighth inning to secure a 4-2 comeback victory over the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday at Daikin Park.
The late rally allowed the Astros to draw even in their current series against Detroit, despite Houston struggling heavily by finishing 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men stranded on base.
Before stepping up to the plate with the bases loaded and his team trailing by one run, the 26-year-old rookie, who made his major-league debut just two days prior, turned his attention toward the home dugout.
"It's a big moment in the game, so just making sure that everything is going as it should," said Delgado.
Astros manager Joe Espada noticed the rookie looking over and immediately signaled back to encourage his young infielder to focus entirely on the high-stakes plate appearance.
"I said, 'Don't look at me — this is your at-bat, this is your moment,' " said Espada.
Delgado capitalised on the advice by driving a first-pitch slider from Detroit reliever Will Vest up the middle, which rolled into center field to drive home the game-altering runs.
"It's definitely the biggest moment of my career so far," said Delgado.
The ball found its way through the infield despite a low exit velocity of 85 mph, slipping past the outstretched reach of the defense to complete the late-game turnaround.
"I was just praying it got through.
I saw the second baseman closing in on the ball and I was like, 'Keep going,' " said Delgado.
Prior to making his Sunday debut in Kansas City, Delgado had spent a significant portion of his professional career grinding through 710 minor-league appearances.
"It's still baseball, no matter where you play it," said Delgado.
He acknowledged the increased pressure that comes with playing at the highest level of professional baseball while remaining focused on producing results for his club.
"I know it's a lot of pressure. I know the guys are probably better and the lights are brighter.
But still got to get the job done any way you can," said Delgado.
The matchup initially featured an impressive pitching duel between former teammates Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, who both allowed just a single run over six strong frames.
Detroit broke the deadlock in the top of the eighth inning when Hao-Yu Lee hit a double against Bryan King and subsequently crossed home plate on a sacrifice fly.
The Astros quickly answered in the bottom half of the frame after Yainer Diaz singled and Cam Smith reached safely on a fielding error by third baseman Kevin McGonigle.
Following a walk to Joey Loperfido that loaded the bases, Delgado delivered his hit, and Jeremy Peña later beat out a double-play ball to add an insurance run.
Josh Hader earned his third save of the year by closing out the ninth inning, giving up only a leadoff single to Riley Greene before retiring the next three Detroit hitters.
With this latest outcome at Daikin Park, the Houston Astros updated their overall regular season record to 34-41.
