Altuve on record error-free run at second base

SEATTLE -- It's been a solid first quarter of the season for Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, who led off Thursday's game with a homer to left field on the first pitch. Altuve entered the night having not made an error in his previous 82 games, which is a franchise record for the position.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the previous record was held by Rafael Landestoy, who went 78 games in 1980 without an error. The last Major Leaguer with a longer streak was the Cubs' Darwin Barney, who went 141 games between errors while winning a Gold Glove Award in 2012.

"[Altuve] has really committed himself to being the best player he can be," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "I'll continue to say this: He's playing the best baseball of his career. It's not by chance. When you take the conscious efforts he went through from the end of last season and into the offseason, and you look at the way he showed up for camp -- he lost 10 pounds and really got himself in shape and changed his eating diet -- and put forth the effort he put forth, it's good to see a guy get rewarded for that type of work.

"I could not be more proud of Jose for the success in which he's enjoying, and it's an example to other players what can happen when you commit yourself."

What makes Altuve's streak even more impressive is the fact he's often lined up in spots on the field that are not typical of second baseman because of the team's extensive use of infield shifts.

"Even when he's playing out in short right field or the defense dictates that's going to be somewhere other than the traditional second-base position, he's doing a great job of making the adjustments," Porter said.