HOUSTON -- Carlos Correa's final game during a troubling month of May started with a bang.
Correa, who slashed .188/.284/.365 in 96 at-bats in May prior to Thursday, smashed a two-run home run in the first inning of the Astros' series-opening 4-2 win over the MLB-best Red Sox at Minute Maid Park.
"Yeah, he left me a pitch that I could drive," Correa said. "I was able to put a good swing on it and give our team the lead."
Correa's homer, his ninth this season, put the Astros ahead, 2-0, and gave the shortstop a club-leading 38 RBIs. Correa scored Alex Bregman, who had walked, with the laser to left field that was projected to travel 370 feet, according to Statcast™.
Correa, who went 1-for-3 with a walk, has now reached base safely in all 20 career games he has played against the Red Sox.
The 2017 All-Star shortstop's homer was a shining light on the final day of a dull month. Correa's blast, which snapped an 0-for-10 streak, added to the surge he's had recently at Minute Maid Park.
In his past 10 home games, Correa has hit five homers with 10 RBIs, signaling his month-long issues, which he says were caused by chasing too many pitches, may be nearing an end.
"It's baseball, man," Correa said. "Sometimes you're great, sometimes you're not. You've got to overcome the struggles and figure out a way to be successful and help your team. May wasn't the best month for me, but it's not like I've never been here before. I've struggled for a month. It's a long season, so today was a big stride with that first at-bat. Hopefully, I can keep it up and have a great June."