Correa, 'Stros Shine in victorious home opener

Photo courtesy of Michael Wyke/Associated Press

For as fun as the road trip was, the Astros probably enjoy the home crowd more. That sentiment held true on Thursday night.

In their first game in Minute Maid Park in 2021, the Astros slugged three home runs against the maligned Oakland Athletics, once again drubbing their division rivals by a score of 6-2.

Playing before a raucous crowd of 21,765 at Minute Maid Park, the excitement in the building was tangible. More than a year and a half had passed since Houston fans got to see their Astros play in person, and that energy carried all throughout the night.

That energy seemed to translate to the diamond as well. In line with their other games against Oakland thus far, the Astros got to an early lead and never looked back. Carlos Correa did the honors of scoring Houston's first run at home (and first home run) by slapping an opposite-field solo shot to right.

Correa would quickly add on in the fourth inning with an RBI double that drove Yordan Álvarez home.

Yordan would get in on the action by himself with a towering blast in the sixth inning that reached the second deck. A two-out, two RBI single in the same inning from Myles Straw would blow things open for Houston.

Backing up the 'Stros was Cristian Javier on the mound, who threw a gem in his first outing. Though he only worked through five innings, he allowed no runs and struck out seven A's. His fastball was working early and often.

And topping the great night off was José Altuve's solo home run in the seventh inning.

Altuve described the feeling of his first home run in front of the fans aptly. "It was a beautiful night. It was kind of like a dream come true."

"Tonight was a perfect night for us."

It was hard to imagine the night going any better for the Astros, who are now off to a 6-1 record, pacing the American League. And they get to do it all over again the very next day.

"I had a lot of energy through the game, because the fans were cheering for us since the first inning," Altuve said. "That’s enough to motivate you and encourages you to go out there and keep swinging the bat."

Houston's chance to take their second consecutive series against Oakland will feature Lance McCullers Jr. making his first start at home, opposite of Oakland's Sean Manaea. First pitch is scheduled for 7 PM CT.