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Correa sprints to record books with 3 steals

Astros shortstop second-youngest player in 100 seasons to complete feat

DENVER -- Astros shortstop Carlos Correa showed more than just a glimpse of why he's considered one of the game's top prospects in Thursday afternoon's 8-4 win over the Rockies, becoming the second-youngest player (behind only Rickey Henderson) in the last 100 seasons to steal three bases in a game.

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Henderson, who was born on Dec. 25, 1958, stole three bases on Aug. 23, 1979, when he was 20 years and 241 days old. Correa is 20 years and 269 days old. In addition to the steals, Correa went 1-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Video: HOU@COL: Correa swipes three bags, doubles in win

"That's a big name when you say Rickey Henderson," Correa said. "He had a lot of stolen bases throughout his career and is obviously a Hall of Famer, and is a great player. To be behind him in that stat, it means a lot. I'm just going to go out there and help my team win in some way. If that means stealing bases, I'll do it."

Video: HOU@COL: Carter ties the game with an RBI single

In the third inning, Correa swiped the second stolen base of his young career shortly before scoring the tying run on a Chris Carter single. Two innings later, Correa walked, stole second base and trotted home with the tiebreaking run on Preston Tucker's double.

Video: HOU@COL: Tucker brings home Correa with a double

In the top of the seventh, Correa roped his third career double, a liner down the left-field line, then raced to third for his third stolen base of the day.

"I would steal when the game tells me that I need to steal in that situation," Correa said. "There were some situations where there was one out and I was on second and I was trying to get to third. Help make the job easier on the guy hitting, just with one out, try to just get a sac fly instead of a base hit. Then, when I was at first, just try to avoid the double play and steal second. The game is going to dictate when I'm going to steal. It's part of my game."

Astros manager A.J. Hinch said Correa has the green light to run when he feels it's necessary.

"That type of freedom on the bases I think is good for him," Hinch said. "I think he read the situations correctly. … He adds to the list of guys that are putting pressure on the opponent with his legs. I think it can help change how they pitch our hitters. I think it can help change where the defense is, which can help Carter when he stole third."

Brian McTaggart is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Tag's Lines. Follow @brianmctaggart on Twitter and listen to his podcast.
Read More: Houston Astros, Carlos Correa