Major league batting champion Jose Altuve has put on an unprecedented show of power as Houston belted Boston 8-2 in game one of their American League (AL) Division Series.
Buoyed by chants of "MVP" in each trip to the plate on Thursday, the five-foot-six Altuve hit solo homers in the first and fifth innings off Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale.
He connected again in the seventh off reliever Austin Maddox to give Houston a massive boost in the best-of-five series.
"As soon as I cross the white line, I feel the same size as everyone else," Altuve said.
It was just the 10th time a player has hit three homers in a post-season game, and first since Pablo Sandoval for the Giants in the 2012 World Series opener against Detroit. Babe Ruth did it twice.
Astros pitcher Justin Verlander pitched six effective innings and improved to 6-0 since Houston got him in late trade with Detroit.
Sale, the major league strikeout leader, was tagged for seven runs in five-plus innings of his post-season debut.
In Cleveland, the Indians beat New York 4-0 in their AL Division Series opener, with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge kept in check.
Jay Bruce drove in three runs as Cleveland began chasing their first World Series title in 69 years.
Trevor Bauer struck out Judge three times, twice getting the MVP candidate looking
He allowed just two hits in six and two-third innings before manager Terry Francona turned to baseball's best bullpen, using Andrew Miller and closer Cody Allen to finish the three-hitter.
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