Down 5-4 in the fourth inning of what had already become a game of aggressive at-bats, devoid of pitching, Altuve stroked his second two-out single in as many plate appearances up the middle.
Hank Conger easily scored from second thanks to an unwise cut-off of Daniel Robertson's throw. Altuve made a wide turn at first, as the speedy Jake Marisnick rounded second.
Then Altuve waved Marisnick around.
"I kind of stumbled and was like 'Come on, let's get around,'" Altuve said.
Marisnick scored without a throw while Altuve stayed in the rundown as long as possible, giving Houston a 6-5 lead it wouldn't relinquish in the first of a pivotal three-game set in a tight American League West race.