Astros' Jose Altuve swats walk-off homer vs. Yankees

July 12 (UPI) -- Jose Altuve jumped on a 1-1 curveball and sent it over the left field fence for a 368-foot, three-run walk-off homer to lead the Houston Astros to a dramatic victory and prevent a series sweep by the New York Yankees.

Altuve's round-tripper came in the bottom of the ninth inning of the 8-7 win Sunday at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker and catcher Martin Maldonado also homered in the victory.

"I'm just lost for words," Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters. "The guys kept battling and kept battling. That's unbelievable to win that game the way we did."

The Yankees led 7-2 entering the bottom of the ninth. First baseman Yuli Gurriel led off the half inning with a single. Tucker followed with a double. The Yankees replaced relief pitcher Chad Green with Domingo German to face Chas McCormick in the next exchange.

The Astros center fielder sliced a double to left field to plate Gurriel and Tucker. Third baseman Abraham Toro followed with a double to score McCormick, which cut the deficit to two runs. Pinch hitter Jason Castro singled in the next at-bat.

Altuve stepped to the plate two at-bats later. The Astros second baseman took a fastball for a called strike on the first offering of his exchange with Green. The Yankees reliever missed the zone with a curveball on his next pitch. He then tossed in another curveball, which dropped just below the zone.

Altuve lowered his bat to make contact and sent the offspeed pitch over the wall to end the game.

The Astros infielder went 1 for 5 with three RBIs and a run scored. Tucker and Astros designated hitter Michael Brantley recorded two hits apiece in the win. McCormick drove in two runs.

Yankees left fielder Tim Locastro and catcher Gary Sanchez homered in the loss. Gio Urshela and Giancarlo Stanton each had two hits for the Yankees.

Astros starter Framber Valdez allowed six hits and three runs in four innings. Yankees starter Jameson Taillon allowed three hits and two runs in six innings.

The Yankees (46-43) host the rival Boston Red Sox at 7:08 p.m. EDT Thursday at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Astros (55-36) face the Chicago White Sox at 8:10 p.m. EDT Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.