MLB PLAYER NEWS

Season to remember for Astros’ Altuve

The Sports Xchange

September 23, 2014 at 2:47 am.

He already owns the franchise record for hits in a season with 221, breaking Craig Biggio's previous franchise mark of 210. Altuve is the first player in five seasons to tally at least 220 hits. Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

ARLINGTON, Texas — Houston second baseman Jose Altuve has already had a season to remember. And it can only get better.

The pint-sized infielder is putting up big numbers in his bid to become the Astros’ first batting champion. He leads the majors with a .345 average after going 1-4 in Monday’s 4-3 loss at Texas.

He already owns the franchise record for hits in a season with 221, breaking Craig Biggio’s previous franchise mark of 210. Altuve is the first player in five seasons to tally at least 220 hits.

“He’s the catalyst of the ballclub,” interim manager Tom Lawless said. “When he gets on, things happen. He’s got 220 hits and that’s really unheard of.”

It’s also the most hits by a second baseman since Detroit’s Charlie Gehringer had 227 hits in 1936. Altuve has at least two hits in 10 of his last 12 games.