Altuve Loses ABS Challenge in Historic MLB Moment

Altuve stepped to the plate against A's pitcher Jeffrey Springs with two outs in the third inning. A full‑count ball four was challenged by the Athletics, and the ABS system ruled the pitch a strike, ending Houston's 2017 AL MVP on strikes. The decision, the closest ABS challenge ever, cost the Astros a potential run in an 11‑4 defeat. Despite the setback, Altuve has posted a 1.071 OPS and hit two home runs in his first nine games of the season.