Healthy Yordan, red-hot Tucker lift Astros in finale

ATLANTA -- The anticipation was high to see how Yordan Alvarez would play after he exited Friday's game and was transported to the hospital before returning to the lineup on Sunday afternoon. The designated hitter didn't disappoint.

The Astros put together a total team effort to take a 5-4 victory over the Braves and avoid the sweep at Truist Park.

Alvarez quickly proved that he had fully recovered when he hit a game-tying two-run single to left-center field in the third inning. Although he was retired in his first at-bat, his groundout was hit at an exit velocity of 106 mph.

"It's a big lift when you got the big man in the third spot," manager Dusty Baker said. "He changes the whole complexion of the game. Whether it's hitting or they're pitching around him [with] runners on base."

Entering Sunday, Astros starter José Urquidy had posted a 6-1 record with a 2.47 ERA over his past 10 starts (since June 21), allowing just 38 hits and 14 walks over 65 2/3 innings for a Major League-leading 0.79 WHIP and second-best opponents’ average (.166), behind teammate Cristian Javier.

"He's been good the last, seven, eight, nine, 10 starts," Baker said. "He has his stuff together. We needed it."

Urquidy had more of the same success, leading the Astros through seven innings as the right-hander allowed just two runs on five hits and two walks while fanning six. He held the defending World Series champions scoreless for six innings after giving up a two-run homer to Matt Olson in the first.

"I know we were using a lot of our relievers, and my purpose before the game was to reach a lot of innings," Urquidy said. "And I think seven innings is good [to] get some rest [for] my guys in the bullpen."

With Alvarez back and Urquidy on his game, the Astros looked like the team that the American League has come to fear, especially late in games.

After battling Braves veteran pitcher Charlie Morton for six innings, the Astros found themselves searching for runs against Atlanta's bullpen for the final three innings.

Houston got the opportunity to test Alvarez's full strength after he singled to lead off the eighth and Alex Bregman walked, putting the 6-foot-5, 225-pound DH in scoring position in a tie game. Alvarez hustled around to score on Kyle Tucker's go-ahead single.

"My body felt great," Alvarez said. "Yesterday, I went through a run-through, almost like a game situation, just so I didn't have anything unexpected [happen] during the game today. ... When I was at second base, I was ready to score on anything."

Tucker extended his hit streak to 14 games and his on-base streak to 18 games. The right fielder is 23-for-59 (.390) with 18 RBIs dating back to Aug. 3. His 82 RBIs on the season lead the Astros and rank third in the American League.

"He did the same thing last year," Baker said. "That's why I tried to get him as many at-bats as I could in the spring, because I know he's a [historically] slow starter.

"All he has to do is hopefully stay healthy until he finds his timing, then he's due to have an outstanding year."

The Astros will return home from the World Series rematch on the heels of their first losing road trip of the season after posting the best road winning percentage in the American League (38-27) ahead of the three-game set. But the road warriors will have the chance to start fresh in Houston with a six-game homestand.

"One thing we wanted to do is be the best road team in baseball, especially with our record of road games early," Baker said. "Now, guys can hopefully get a rest ... go home and start again."