(SportsRadio 610) - When the Astros signed Marwin González to a minor league deal in August, there was a lot of nostalgia tied to the acquisition.
Well before Sunday, González had established himself as an Astros postseason hero in the 2017 World Series with his game-tying homer off Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning of Game 2. It is widely considered the moment which saved the series for Houston, which ultimately won its first championship.
But production from González has declined over the past few seasons since he left Houston.
The Astros' ALDS and ALCS rosters did not include him, and he's only appeared as a pinch hitter in the three World Series games at Atlanta.
His moment Sunday, when González hit a first-pitch, two-RBI single with bases loaded in the fifth inning, is exactly why the Astros brought him back. There is a trust in González to not be phased by a moment like this. And there he was, with two outs, giving Houston the lead.
"We wanted him back because, one, the team chemistry is great when he's around," shortstop Carlos Correa said about the push to sign Gonz. "He's (Jose) Altuve's best friend, so having him around helps Altuve in a big way. And he's a postseason hero for us. We know when the moments are big, it's not going to be too big for him.
"He showed us tonight on a cold night, facing Minter, who's nasty. And going out there and helping the team win the game. We just want one at-bat. We preach it all the time. One at-bat can win the series, and he gave us a chance tonight."
González spoke after the game about his teammates welcoming him back like he never left. He spent his first seven Major League seasons in Houston (2012-2018), and like Altuve, was there for the 100-loss seasons all the way through the 2017 title run.
"I was here when we lost three straight seasons. I can tell you that that's one thing that I don't wish that to any player. It's not that you don't want to play, but you don't even want to show up. It's boring.
"But since 2015, when we went to the Wild Card, and we had a chance to taste the playoffs for the first time, for the group that was here since 2012, I mean, we became a really good team. We missed '16, but we've been there every single year after that and became a winning team, a winning franchise."
The Astros have another opportunity Tuesday night to extend the season to a decisive World Series Game 7 at Minute Maid Park.