Moments after David Hensley sent a full-count fastball soaring to the back of the right-field warning track for his first major-league hit, the Astros rookie made a decision that took him into further uncharted territory.
“I went around first. There was no way I was gonna stop,” Hensley said. “So I tried to get there as fast as I could.”
Hensley dove headfirst into second base and his batting helmet fell to the ground, a worthwhile casualty to his determined hustle play. He stood up and turned his gaze to the stands where his parents, sister and a handful of friends erupted in jubilation. They had been at Minute Maid Park all week since the Astros called Hensley up from Sugar Land, and witnessed him make his MLB debut on Saturday while starting at shortstop against the Orioles.
Hensley started again on Sunday, this time at designated hitter, and said he felt more confident and comfortable in his second major-league game. His first at-bat of the day delivered immediate satisfaction in the Astros’ eventual 3-1 win.
“I got to look up and see the crowd and got to see my parents over there happy and cheering for me,” he said. “It’s everything that I’ve dreamed about since (I was) a little kid. It’s awesome.”
Hensley fell while rounding second base after he hit a walkoff homer for Class AA Corpus Christi last yearand said he was mindful on Sunday of trying “not to embarrass myself by falling on my first hit.”
Hensley’s dream moment represented the Astros’ lone hit against Orioles starter Austin Voth, who tossed six scoreless innings. Hensley got on base again via a ground-ball forceout shortly after the Astros broke open a scoreless game against reliever Bryan Baker in the seventh inning.
And while Hensley ended up stranded on third base in both instances, he walked away Sunday with memories and keepsakes to cherish. Astros manager Dusty Baker awarded Hensley the day’s lineup card. After pretending to throw the ball from Hensley’s first hit into the crowd, second baseman Jose Altuve gave it to the dugout to save for the rookie.
“Somebody in my family’s gonna get it, for sure,” Hensley said, grinning. “Not sure yet who, but they can fight over it. We’ll figure it out.”