Kyle Tucker sealed the deal Tuesday night in favor of the Houston Astros. The Astros outfielder lifted a monster go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning off of Baltimore Orioles All-Star closer Felix Bautista to lead Houston to a 7-6 victory.
GRAND SLAM KING TUCK! 👑
Kyle Tucker battles for 9 pitches before hitting a go-ahead grand slam in the 9th inning in Baltimore! 💥
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/AQbmgPtroP
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 9, 2023
Almost immediately, cries of “pay the man” reverberated throughout Twitter from Astros fans who want the Astros to give Tucker a new contract.
“Jim Crane needs to do whatever he can to extend Kyle Tucker. PAY THE MAN,” wrote Michael Schwab in a tweet.
Here's Twitter user @baseballnchill posting a hilarious blank check for Kyle Tucker.
PAY THE MAN pic.twitter.com/uRI7ALMLrA
— Jenn (@baseballnchill) August 9, 2023
Tucker saved the Astros from the jaws of defeat and brought them back to life with that massive blast, which, according to ESPN Stats & Info, was the first of its kind so far in the 2023 MLB regular season.
“Down 3 with one out in the top of the 9th, Kyle Tucker gave the Astros the lead with one swing. He's the first player this season to hit a grand slam in the 9th inning or later with his team trailing by 3.”
More reactions:
Pay the man!
pic.twitter.com/isf7bttpxE— Astros Griff (@AstrosGriff) August 9, 2023
KING TUCKER!!! PAY THE MAN!! pic.twitter.com/MaOxSi0ZWK
— BAYOU CITY BOYS (@NickAtNightTX) August 9, 2023
Tucker has two more years of arbitration eligibility beyond 2023. He went through arbitration prior to this season and got himself a one-year deal worth $5 million, which sounds like a bargain considering how great he's been this season for the Astros. He currently leads all qualified Houston players with a .889 OPS to go with 20 home runs and a .297 batting average.
As for the Astros, they have improved to 65-49 after their win in the series opener against the Orioles.