Kyle Tucker leads Astros past Orioles with 9th inning grand slam

Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Kyle Tucker hit an absolute laser, crushing his wooden bat into a 100-mph fastball for a 107-mph, go-ahead grand slam to right center to lead the Houston Astros to a comeback win over the Baltimore Orioles in Baltimore.

Tucker hit the 403-foot blast in the top of the ninth inning of the 7-6 triumph Tuesday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

"I was able to catch one out front and time it well," Tucker told reporters. "That was a tough at-bat, but I found a way to come out of it on top."

The Astros right fielder went 2 for 5 with five RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

The Orioles trailed 6-3 to start the ninth. Relief pitcher Felix Bautista walked pinch hitter Jon Singleton to lead off the inning. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve followed with a single to left field.

Bautista struck out Astros third baseman Alex Bregman in the next at-bat. Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez then singled to center to load the bases.

Tucker came to the plate next, settling in against the right-handed pitcher. Bautista issued a 101-mph fastball down the middle for a called first strike. He then forced a swing-and-miss with a 92.7-mph splitter, but missed the zone with his next two pitches.

Tucker stayed alive by fouling off the next four offerings. Bautista tossed in his 100-mph four seamer to end the exchange. Tucker jumped on the middle-of-the-plate toss, obliterating it for the go-ahead blast.

The grand slam hovered just 58 feet above the field and needed just 4.3 seconds to clear the fence, according to Statcast.

Bautista struck out designated hitter Yainer Diaz for the second out of the inning. Relief pitcher Joey Krehbiel entered the game for the final at-bat of the inning. He forced first baseman Jose Abreu to pop out to second base for the Astros' final out.

Astros closer Ryan Pressly retired infielders Jordan Westburg and Adam Frazier and pinch hitter Ryan O'Hearn in order in the bottom of the inning, ending the game and earning his 27th save this season.

Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena went 3 for 4 with an RBI in the win. Bregman went 2 for 5 with a run scored.

Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle went 1 for 4 with a two-run homer in the loss. Designated hitter Adley Rutschman went 1 for 3 with a two-run homer and two runs scored.

Astros starter Framber Valdez allowed eight hits and six runs over seven innings, but was not on record for a decision.

The Orioles (70-43) will host the Astros (65-49) at 7:05 p.m. EDT Wednesday in Baltimore.