Altuve’s ABS Challenge Turns Ball Four into Strike vs. A’s

During the third inning, Altuve faced A’s pitcher Jeffrey Springs with two outs and a runner on third. Springs’ 3‑2 delivery was called a ball four, but a swift challenge by Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers overturned the call to a strike, setting a new record for the closest pitch ever confirmed by the ABS system. The call ended Altuve’s at‑bat on a strike and left the Astros without a run in the inning. Despite the setback, Altuve has posted a 1.071 OPS and two home runs in his first nine games of the 2026 season, but the Astros fell 11‑4 to the Athletics.