HOUSTON — Most every promising season ends in shock. No matter who impresses in June or who makes a run in September, only one team gets to hoist the trophy into the air after winning the World Series. And this season, it will be either the Washington Nationals or the Houston Astros — not the Yankees.

The Yankees’ magical 2019 season — which produced 103 regular-season wins and their first American League East title in seven years despite sending a record number of players to the injured list — came to an end at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night. The Yankees lost, 6-4, to the Astros in Game 6 of an American League Championship Series that showed, once again, that they have positioned themselves near the top of the A.L. hierarchy but not at the summit.

“Sports can be a little bit cruel for the team that goes home,” Yankees Manager Aaron Boone said.

The end was staved off briefly by the valiant efforts of D.J. LeMahieu, who smashed a game-tying two-run homer off Astros closer Roberto Osuna with one out in the top of the ninth inning. With Gio Urshela on base, LeMahieu fouled off five pitches before depositing one past the outstretched glove of right fielder George Springer.

The new hope lasted just minutes. The Yankees’ season finally concluded when Jose Altuve smashed a towering, two-run, walk-off homer off Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Even Chapman, arguably the Yankees’ best reliever, could not stop the Astros’ juggernaut. He stood frozen on the mound as Altuve rounded the bases.