Christian Walker, Cam Smith, and Daulton Varsho each homered, propelling the Houston Astros to a 6-5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday evening.
Houston built a commanding 5-0 advantage, but closer Josh Hader successfully navigated a tense ninth inning with the tying run in scoring position, retiring Kyle Schwarber to seal the game.
The Astros entered the three-game series holding a two-game lead over Texas atop the AL West. Meanwhile, the Phillies began play a half-game ahead of the Chicago Cubs for the first National League wild-card spot and four games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.
Walker launched a three-run shot in the second inning off Phillies starter Andrew Painter (3-9), marking his 25th homer of the season, his sixth career 25-homer campaign, and his fifth consecutive.
Smith contributed his 18th round of the season in the fourth inning, while Varsho added his 11th home run in the seventh. Both shots were solo.
This offensive output provided ample support for Hayden Wesneski (5-1), who pitched six innings, allowing five hits and three runs. He did not surrender a run until the sixth, extending his streak to 12 consecutive scoreless innings.
Yordan Alvaraez, who entered the game leading the AL in batting average and tied for the league lead in home runs and RBIs, went hitless in five at-bats. Jose Altuve, possessing 2,499 career hits, also went 0-for-5.
Painter worked five innings, surrendering 10 hits and five earned runs. The 23-year-old rookie had maintained a 3.12 ERA through his previous 40.1 innings across seven starts since being recalled from Triple-A on July 31.
The Phillies finally broke through against Wesneski in the sixth inning. Justin Crawford doubled, Schwarber singled him home, and Trea Turner hit his 18th home run of the year to make it 5-3. Brandon Marsh added an RBI double in the seventh.
Bryson Stott led off the ninth with a single and scored on Edmundo Sosa’s double off the wall to make it 6-5, marking the first run surrendered by Hader since July 20 and snapping a streak of 21 consecutive scoreless outings. However, Hader recorded his 24th save in 24 opportunities with three straight outs.
Up Next
Houston’s Hunter Brown (5-3, 3.31 ERA) will face the Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez (16-5, 2.58) on Wednesday night.
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