Astros' Altuve literally jumps in air to swing at high fastball
On Tuesday night, Houston Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve took a cut at a first pitch from Rangers reliever Roman Mendez that rose to nearly his own height of 5 foot 5 inches. To get there, Altuve leaped from both feet and spun himself around with the swing.
Altuve had to go upstairs in order to protect the runner on a hit and run play.*
Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos might have been amused with the swing had Altuve not drilled the ball into the catcher's thigh for a certain bruise.
Watch in real time when the jump wasn't immediately obvious. "Did he jump?" the announcer asked. "I think he jumped!"
* The original version of this point suggested that Altuve was swingly wildly at the first pitch and omitted to point out that the play was a hit and run. Thank you commenter GMQ for pointing out the error.
[GIF via Gifulmation/BlackSportsOnline]
