Sánchez offers impact with Astros in 1st game vs. former club

MIAMI -- The headlines in the days following the Trade Deadline for the Astros were dominated by the return of Carlos Correa, and for good reason. Correa was a rising star at the beginning of Houston’s ascent to one of baseball’s powerhouse clubs a decade ago, and his return in Thursday’s trade with the Twins injected life into the clubhouse and the fan base.

The Astros acquired another player Thursday whose contribution on the field could have as big of an impact as Correa’s. And on Monday night at loanDepot park, outfielder Jesús Sánchez enjoyed a happy homecoming only days after being acquired from the Marlins.

Sánchez, who was the left-handed-hitting acquisition the Astros desperately needed, was recognized on the videoboard prior to the game and received a warm welcome from a small crowd. His RBI double in the Astros’ five-run fourth inning helped them beat Miami, 8-2, and snap a three-game losing streak.

“He’s grateful to be here,” Astros manager Joe Espada said. “He’s around winning players, and it changes how you prepare yourself. He’s asking a ton of questions. He wants to know how we have done it here for so many years. You want to be a part of a winning culture, and we have been able to do that for a long time. He’s excited about that.”

Sánchez, who spent his first six years in the Major Leagues with the Marlins, spoke up during the the Astros’ pregame hitters’ meeting Monday -- and even offered a scouting report for pitcher Sandy Alcantara, who hadn’t allowed a run in 12 innings in his previous two starts and was the subject of trade talks himself.

“He knows that club well, he knows Alcantara well,” Espada said. “He gave us some tips -- let’s not ask him about it -- but this kid wants to be here and he’s happy to be here. Coming back home and having that performance, I’m sure it’s satisfying.”

Alcantara was perfect through three innings before the Astros batted around in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead. Six of the first seven batters in the fourth got a hit for Houston, including an RBI double by Sánchez, an RBI single by Correa and a two-run double by Yainer Diaz.

“He's a great hitter, great teammate,” Alcantara said. “He was laughing at me, but I don't like laughing, so he knows. I don't know, he maybe thinks I'm funny. It's great to see Sánchez back in the field out there, sad to see him on the other team. I wish all the best to him. He can continue to be healthy and keep doing what he's doing.”

When he joined the Astros on Friday in Boston, Sánchez spoke of the excitement of coming to a first-place team and the role he will have down the stretch. He batted second in the lineup behind Jeremy Peña on Monday and played left field for the third time in four games.

“With this group, it’s really easy to feel at home,” Sánchez said. “There’s a lot of Hispanic players here and we understand each other really well. It feels good to be here.”

Espada told Sánchez on Friday not to put too much pressure on himself coming to a contender, and it certainly seems like Sánchez is comfortable in orange and blue. His omnipresent smile has already made him a clubhouse favorite.

“He’s such a great dude, he’s such a great guy,” said Peña, who went 2-for-4 with a walk. “Not a bad bone in his body. He’s so happy, always great energy. I admire that about him.”

The Astros, who were 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position in getting swept by the Red Sox, were 6-for-12 on Monday. Espada was without Peña for a month while he recovered from a fractured rib, and the additions of Correa, Sánchez and Ramón Urías in trades have lengthened the lineup and give Espada more options.

“I know where I want to go with those guys and it’s easier to line them up when you have dynamic players that can do a lot of damage offensively,” Espada said. “We have a few guys who are still not back [from injuries], so we’re going to keep pushing, and once we get all our buys back, it’s going to be fun to watch.”