ARLINGTON -- With 100 postseason games already under his belt, there was a moment early on Friday afternoon when someone attempted to shift Jose Altuve¡¯s focus toward the way-back machine, quizzing the Astros' second baseman about his most treasured highlights. That proved to be a conversation non-starter, swatted away like a flat changeup.

This time of year, Altuve only looks forward.

A few hours later, he authored a favorite addition to his playoff legend. Altuve¡¯s go-ahead three-run home run off Jos¨¦ Leclerc in the ninth inning has the Astros on the doorstep of back-to-back World Series appearances, powering Houston¡¯s 5-4 victory over the Rangers at Globe Life Field in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.

¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got to say this one, because it just happened and I still have the emotions, the adrenaline in me,¡± Altuve said. ¡°It was a cool moment -- and because we ended up winning.¡±

Collecting 26 career postseason homers, as Altuve has, is a staggering achievement. A truly remarkable aspect is that, despite a wild back-and-forth contest that featured a benches-clearing incident one half-inning prior, absolutely no one in Astros orange could claim to be shocked that Altuve owned the moment.??

¡°You don't use the word ¡®expect,¡¯ but you anticipate something great happening,¡± said right-hander Justin Verlander. ¡°More often than not, he just seems to deliver. Just an incredible feel for the moment, incredible baseball player. This doesn't surprise anybody in our locker room, that's for sure.¡±

• Altuve's clutch HR has him nearing postseason record

With Leclerc seeking a four-out save, Yainer Diaz opened the ninth with a pinch-hit single, and Jon Singleton came off the bench to work a six-pitch walk. That brought up Altuve, who looked at a slider for a called strike. He then pounced on an 89.8 mph changeup and sent it a Statcast-projected 382 feet, just over a leaping effort from left fielder Evan Carter.

Alex Bregman was among the Astros who poured out of the dugout, saying he lost his voice screaming in celebration. Bregman did sound a little raspy later on Friday evening, but he still had enough timbre to describe his pal.

¡°He¡¯s got a slow heartbeat, confidence in himself,¡± Bregman said. ¡°The game is slow for him. He¡¯s just incredible. I feel like I lose the words to say about him, because it¡¯s something new every time.¡±

• The greatest, most iconic postseason homers

From the on-deck circle, Mauricio Dub¨®n said that he turned his attention to a higher power.

¡°I was praying, 'Go out! Go out!'¡± Dub¨®n? said. ¡°It went out. I got excited, and then I realized I've got to hit next, so I couldn't get too excited. It's pretty crazy, but he's been doing it forever. He's one of a kind.¡±

Altuve trails Manny Ramirez (29) by only three homers for the most in postseason history. It was Altuve¡¯s third go-ahead postseason homer in the ninth inning or later, which is the most all time. And, again, no one was shocked that Altuve delivered. But why?

¡°No. 1, he wants to be up there,¡± said Astros manager Dusty Baker. ¡°No. 2, he's got a high concentration level, because that's what it takes in big moments like that -- concentration, desire, and relaxation all encompassed into one. And everybody can't do all three of those things. I mean, this dude is one of the baddest dudes I've ever seen, and I've seen some greats.¡±

• Wildest moments from ALCS Game 5?| Game 6 FAQ

Added closer Ryan Pressly: ¡°I'm so lucky and blessed to have him as a teammate. I get to see him every single day. ¡­ The moment never gets too big for him, and he thrives in these kinds of situations. So you¡¯ve got the right guy up for some magic to happen, and we've seen it time and time again.¡±

There have been nine go-ahead postseason homers in the ninth inning or later with a player¡¯s team trailing; Yordan Alvarez hit the most recent, in Game 1 of the 2022 AL Division Series against the Mariners. The only other ALCS example came in 1986, when Dave Henderson of the Red Sox slugged one to help topple the Angels.

¡°I know everybody is talking about the homer,¡± Altuve said, ¡°but if you go and see Diaz's base hit and then Singleton walked, especially when he hasn't played in a lot of days -- coming from the bench facing probably one of the best closers right now in the playoffs. So I think the key was these two guys and to be able to score all those runs.¡±

• Astros' bench, bullpen come up huge after brouhaha?| Benches clear

Dub¨®n agreed, calling the contributions from Diaz and Singleton ¡°the salt in the cake.¡± Indeed, even Leclerc seemed to kick himself less for surrendering Altuve¡¯s homer than the fact it came with a couple of runners aboard.

¡°I feel like I should have done a better job with the first two batters,¡± Leclerc said in Spanish. ¡°With Altuve, I actually felt like I did well. Altuve is simply a good ballplayer, and you¡¯ve got to recognize how good he is.¡±

The issue, of course, is that Altuve¡¯s famed intensity won¡¯t allow him to savor this new memory for long. It likely will meet its expiration date by the end of the Astros¡¯ 250-mile journey home, replaced by a steely-eyed focus on winning the next game. It¡¯s the only way he knows how to operate.

¡°We show up every day, like I said before the game, ready to play,¡± Altuve said. ¡°We've done it so many times. We never give up until the last out. And that's in our game, like today.¡±