Astros duo fail to win against Yankees after scary collision

Left fielder Yordan Alvarez and shortstop Jeremy Pena were both missing from the Astros’ starting lineup Thursday against the Yankees after their scary collision the night before against the Mets at Citi Field.

Alvarez, who is tied for second in the majors behind Aaron Judge with 23 home runs, and Pena were being evaluated for concussions and « still trying to see if they can be cleared, » according to Houston manager Dusty Baker.

« First and foremost, I hope they’re okay, » Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters at Minute Maid Park ahead of the Yankees’ 2-1 loss. “Any time you see guys going out of a game or being taken off the pitch, your concern is that and they’re welfare.

“It looks like they avoided serious injuries, which is a good thing. Clearly, they’re two great players and, in Yordan’s case, one of the best hitters in the sport. So it’s going to be a challenge. But right now, you just hope, especially these caliber players, you just hope everything is okay.

Jeremy Pena (3) and Yordan Alvarez squared off in the Astros’ win over the Mets on Wednesday.

Alvarez, 25 – the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year – was ejected from the field after Wednesday’s eighth-inning collision, Pena hooking Dominic Smith’s pop-up. Alvarez was named Thursday along with Shohei Ohtani as finalists to be the American League’s first designated hitter in the All-Star Game.

Pena, the 24-year-old rookie, is batting .275 with nine home runs and a .788 OPS as the main backup for late star Carlos Correa.

Alvarez went 3 for 12 with a home run and two walks in the four-game split with the Yankees last weekend in the Bronx. Thursday’s game was a one-game make-up following an early-season postponement between the two potential playoff opponents.

« Any time you play against such a good team, obviously the rivalry gives you a little bit of a kick, especially coming in for a moment when you’re in the middle of this journey, » Boone said. “So there are spots on the calendar throughout the season that probably give you a little extra. But also, it’s a game in June. I think that’s our goal.

« [The Bronx series] was energetic and intense for June, obviously you know there’s a lot of eyeballs and a lot of focus on that, and you can feel that energy. And realize that by playing four games, you are facing a very good opponent.