Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The Astros came into the third game of this series looking for a series win. Here's a quick rundown and four points from the game:
Final Score: Astros 11, Rangers 4
Record: 25-15, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Gerrit Cole (4-4, 3.88 ERA)
Losing pitcher: Drew Smyly (0-3, 6.85 ERA)
1. The Cole Train ran on full steam
Gerrit Cole pitched his worst start this season against the Texas Rangers. In fact, he entered tonight's game 0-2 with a 9.58 ERA in his two starts against them this season. Despite giving a line drive HR to Hunter Pence, Cole struck out FIVE in the first two innings. He struck out two more in the third. Cole was challenged in the fourth, but back to back strike outs to Gallo and Pence got him out of the inning stranding Santana at third. For those keeping score, Cole had nine strike outs through four. Odor and Guzman were victims to Cole's strike out in the fifth. With runners on third and second, Cole got Gallos looking with a 100 mile an hour fast ball to end the inning and earn his twelfth strike out of the night. He tied Brad Peacock for the most strike outs by a starter this season with twelve.
2. Aledmys Diaz with his biggest moment as an Astro
In the sixth inning, in a on run game, Aledmys Diaz answered the call for the offense. With two outs, Diaz hit a Grand Slam to the Crawford Boxes. The bottom of the order was what got the Astros the win last night with three solo HRs. The bottom of the order, tonight, set themselves up for the nine hole hitter to bring them all home in the biggest moment in his Astro tenure.
3. Devo makes things interesting before the Bullpen settles things down
After a shut down start from Cole and a gushing Grand Slam from Diaz, Chris Devenski entered the seventh striking out Hunter Pence. He then gave up singles to Odor and Cabrera before Guzman hit a bomb to the upper deck in right field to cut the Astros lead to 6-4. Hector Rondon would get the last out of the inning striking out Santana. Josh James entered the 8th with a five run cushion and got out of the inning with two strike outs. James would get two more strike outs in the 9th to rack up a total of four, 18 as a staff for the night.
4. The two out magic was in full effect
What did Josh Reddick's RBI single, Aledmys Diaz' Grand Slam, Tyler White's RBI single, Robinson Chirinos' two RBI single, Carlos Correa's RBI single, and Yuli Gurriel's RBI single have in common? Well, aside from obviously putting points on the board, they were all runs scored when the Astros were at bat with two outs. 10 of the Astros' 11 runs came with two outs.
Up Next: Nothing better than a Sunday day game at Minute Maid Park. A 1:00 start on Mothers Day. The Astros will look to sweep the series as Corbin Martin makes his Major League debut. He was 1-1 with a 1.48 ERA in five games for Triple A Round Rock. The Rangers will counter with Adrian Sampson (0-2, 4.41 ERA)
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
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The Astros closed out their latest road trip with a winning record, a feat made more impressive considering the turbulence at the back of the rotation. Brandon Walter and Ryan Gusto both endured rough outings, with Walter in particular getting tagged hard. Still, Houston salvaged the finale, thanks largely to Mauricio Dubón’s breakout performance. The utilityman launched two home runs to power an offense that’s quietly been heating up for weeks.
But even with a solid finish, not everything is trending upward.
Josh Hader, who’s been one of the game’s most reliable closers this season, has begun to show signs of vulnerability. He’s allowed a home run in three of his last six outings. While his overall numbers remain strong, the long ball—a problem that plagued him last year—is starting to creep back into the picture.
As the Astros return home, the schedule offers no breather. They’ll face the Phillies and Cubs before a brief trip to Colorado to take on the struggling Rockies. After that comes a marquee series against the defending champion Dodgers in Los Angeles. With three of their next four opponents being legitimate World Series threats, the coming stretch looms large.
Can the bats keep pace?
If the last month is any indication, the Astros have reason to feel optimistic. Christian Walker has started to show signs of life after a quiet start to the season, hitting .260 with a .762 OPS and five home runs over the past 30 days. José Altuve has been scorching with a .302 average and .901 OPS in that span, while Jeremy Peña has taken things to another level, batting .384 with a 1.009 OPS.
As a team, the Astros rank 7th in OPS, 5th in runs, 3rd in batting average, and 7th in home runs over the last 30 days. It’s a surge that’s come at the right time—and one they’ll need to sustain.
The injury picture is also starting to shift in Houston’s favor.
Cristian Javier threw a 20-pitch live BP today in West Palm Beach. According to Joe Espada, he was up to 95 mph.
Luis Garcia should throw a live BP next week.
Spencer Arrighetti is still not throwing off a mound yet.
Yordan Alvarez has not resumed hitting.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 20, 2025
Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome that Christian Javier recently threw a live batting practice session, touching 95 mph as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. JP France has thrown multiple live BPs and could be ready to help if things continue to progress with his shoulder. Luis Garcia, however, remains further away despite undergoing surgery more than two years ago. He's expected to throw a live BP this week.
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) should be able to return in August, and Lance McCullers has resumed throwing and is currently on the 15-day IL with a foot sprain.
The Astros are winning. The offense is rolling. The reinforcements are on the way. But with a brutal stretch looming, the team’s margin for error is about to be put to the test.
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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