HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 29: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros doubles in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park on August 29, 2013 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Houston (CBS Houston) – “It’s like the last day of school” quipped an Astros player after the game. The team was preparing for their final road trip of the year. Rookies were dressing in funny uniforms. Bags were being packed by the Astros support staff, the ones who will still be working when the Astros return next week.

The Houston Astros season isn’t over, but they won’t take the field at Minute Maid Park again this season after their 8-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

It was the last chance for Houston to see the Astros play at Minute Maid Park this year, and the hometown team didn’t disappoint the loyal fans who showed up.

The Astros’ win today moved the team to 38-43 at home for the season. The team managed 14 fewer wins last year finishing 2013 with a 24-57 home record.

“It means everything,” Interim manager Tom Lawless said. “It means we’re going in the right direction.”

Lawless mentioned the organization getting better in the minor leagues and now getting better in the major leagues.

Houston led early thanks to a Hisashi Iwakuma wild pitch, but the Mariners would put three runs on the board by the bottom of the fifth. The Astros would get to Iwakuma in the 5th.

Jose Altuve doubled in Jonathan Villar and moved Robbie Grossman to third in the bottom of the inning. An intentional walk to Chris Carter preceded Iwakuma’s strikeout of Dexter Fowler. With one out, Alex Presley singled home Grossman and Altuve to make it 4-3 Astros. Jake Marisnick added a 3-run homer in the seventh to increase the Astros lead to four. Jose Altuve scored int he eighth on a Jason Castro infield single.

“It seems like we’re playing like a team that deserves to be in the playoffs,” Altuve said. “I think we’re going to come back next year, try to do what we’ve been doing lately, and if we play that way, we’re going to be in the playoff.”

Altuve finished the day with 2 hits bringing his league-leading hits total to 220. No other major league player has 200 hits this season. Altuve will likely win the batting title as well. His next closest competitor is 11 points behind Altuve’s average.

He wouldn’t finish the game though. In the bottom of the ninth, with two outs, the Astros unquestioned best player would be lifted from the game. Interim manager Tom Lawless said the team talked about doing it if the game was in hand.

The fans gave Altuve a standing ovation. He returned their admiration with a wave of his cap from the top step of the dugout.

Lawless gushed about his second baseman after the game.

“He’s the catalyst of the ball club,” he said. “He’s a competitor, he’s a baseball player, and he wants to win. That’s the character we are trying to change.”

Lawless mentioned there are some baseball players who don’t want to win. No worry for the Astros if the second baseman is the example.

“We got Mr. Altuve leading the pack on our team, and we’re going to follow him.”

Get in touch with Cody Stoots on Twitter – @Cody_Stoots

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