Astros get another late rally to secure the series win
Astros daily report: Astros 6, Yankees 3
Apr 9, 2019, 10:26 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The Astros looked to lock up a series win against the Yankees on Tuesday night. Here's how the game unfolded:
Final Score: Astros 6, Yankees 3
Record: 7-5, second in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Hector Rondon (1-0).
Losing pitcher: Chad Green (0-2).
Star of the game: Michael Brantley was huge for the Astros on Tuesday, starting with his leadoff double in the second inning that would result in him coming around to score Houston's first run, then later in the game tied things up with an RBI-double. He finished the night going three for five at the plate with the run and RBI.
Notes: After getting a couple of good plays from Carlos Correa's defense behind him in the top of the first, Gerrit Cole would allow a two-out solo home run to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. It didn't take the Astros long to tie the game, getting a sac fly from Yuli Gurriel to make it 1-1 in the bottom of the second. Jose Altuve made it back-to-back nights with crushed homers, getting a solo shot in the bottom of the third to make it 2-1 Houston. That score would hold for a few innings as Cole settled in, but he'd run into trouble in the top of the sixth after a botched double play left runners on the corners with one out, providing some momentum for New York that they took advantage of with a two-RBI double to take a 3-2 advantage. Cole would end up finishing seven innings, leaving still in a 3-2 deficit, making it another start where some bad luck and a few bad pitches cost him an otherwise solid start. He'd get bailed out in the bottom of the seventh, though, thanks to a two-out double from Alex Bregman followed by an RBI-double from Brantley to tie the game at three apiece. Hector Rondon kept the game tied with a scoreless top of the eighth, then the bats went to work, just like the night before, in the bottom of the eighth. Gurriel started things off with a single, then two one-out walks loaded the bases for George Springer who got his first hit of the night, a two-RBI double to put Houston back out in front 5-3. Altuve was next and took advantage of the one-out situation with a sac fly to get an insurance run and extend the lead to 6-3. Roberto Osuna had the ninth and retired the Yankees in order to get another save and secure the series win.
Up next: The Astros and Yankees will wrap up the series tomorrow night with first pitch at 6:40 PM. Collin McHugh will look to continue his solid early season for Houston, while his team will face a familiar face on the mound for New York, former Mariner James Paxton.
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The Houston Astros are in the middle of a midseason surge that’s turned heads across the American League, but don’t let the win streak distract from one key truth: they’re doing this with less.
So what’s powering the Astros’ recent run? It starts with elite pitching. Despite an offense that's been merely middle-of-the-pack — 14th in OPS, 20th in runs scored, and 17th in slugging — Houston ranks fifth in team ERA and leads the majors in batting average against (.218). That’s how they’re winning series while missing key pieces of their core.
Still, there’s more to this run than numbers. Is the resilience we’re seeing tangible evidence of the Astros’ winning culture? Absolutely — especially lately. Rookie Cam Smith is the latest example. He delivered the first walk-off hit of his career over the weekend and looks like he belongs in the big leagues. Meanwhile, the lineup has caught fire over the last week hitting:
- Jose Altuve: .429
- Jeremy Peña: .417
- Cam Smith: .304
- Yainer Diaz: .292
- Christian Walker: .278
And all of this has come without one of Houston’s top two hitters being unavailable for the Twins series, Isaac Paredes, who remains sidelined with a sore hamstring.
With 71 games in the books, the conversation around second-year manager Joe Espada is beginning to shift — from quiet confidence to serious consideration for AL Manager of the Year. The case is strong. Espada has navigated a bruised and bruising season that’s seen Yordan Alvarez miss extended time with a fractured bone in his hand and three key starting pitchers (Spencer Arrighetti, Hayden Wesneski, Ronel Blanco) land on the shelf — two of them for the year.
So, what would it take for Astros owner Jim Crane to give GM Dana Brown the green light to aggressively pursue help at the deadline? History suggests pitching would be the priority. But with young arms like Colton Gordon, Ryan Gusto, and Brandon Walter stepping up, a move may not feel necessary, especially if it means exceeding the luxury tax threshold.
The Astros might be banged up, but they’re thriving and proving they don’t need to be at full strength to play like contenders.
There's so much more to cover! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.
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