For the first time since August 12th, the Houston Astros have won a series. Astros 5 Yankees 1.
As has been the recent trend, Houston would jump out to an early lead. In the Top of the 3rd, Jeremy Pena reached on a hit by pitch. Moments later, he’d come all the way around to score on an opposite field single from Isaac Paredes.
In the 6th, the lead increased. Daulton Varsho drew a walk, and Christian Walker barely cleared the right-center field wall for a 2-run HR, making things 3-0. It was Walker’s
24th HR of the season.
In the bottom of the 6th, Hayden Wesenski would depart after issuing a leadoff double to Ben Rice. Okert would emerge from the pen, and Cody Bellinger would bring in Rice on a sac fly for the Yankees only run of the night.
Wesneski went 5 innings, striking out 6 while allowing 1 earned run and a pair of walks.
The 7th & 8th innings were masterfully handled by AJ Blubaugh. He’d, pitch a pair of scoreless innings. Josh Hader would come in and slam the door in the 9th. Hader has not allowed a run in his last 16 outings.
The Yankees lone run was neutralized quickly. Jeremy Pena turned on an inside 95 mph pitch, blasting it several rows into the stands for a solo HR, his 16th of the year. That made things 5-1. Houston would add an insurance run in the 8th. It was Hayden Wesneski’s fourth win of the year.
In multiple ways, the win was extra meaningful. Climbing back to ,500. Creating separation in the standings on idle Seattle & Texas. Winning a contest when Yordan Alvarez strikes out three times, not having to carry the mail wire to wire. Paredes and Walker combining for 5 hits. Clutch hitting was also paramount. A total of 14 runs in recent nights at Yankee stadium came with two outs.
Jeremy Pena said it best this week, “This is the final stretch; treat every game like it’s a playoff game”. The New York trip is off to a positive start. Let’s see if the momentum can carry 10 miles over to Queens against the Mets.
Odds & Ends:
Brent Strom has returned to the Astros dugout as a pitching consultant for the remainder of the 2026 season.
George Lombard Jr. has now recorded an error in 6 consecutive games.
Hunter Brown will take the mound at 6:10pm CDT Friday Night at Citi Field. He’ll be opposed by Christian Scott, who’s struck out 111 with the Mets.
