Astros win in extra innings on Labor Day

Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 3-2 win

Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 3-2 win
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Riding high after a phenomenal no-hitter by Justin Verlander on Sunday to close out the series with the Blue Jays in Toronto, Houston turned their attention to a quick two-game series in Milwaukee against the Brewers. The first of those two games was on Labor Day Monday, and here is how it shook out:

Final Score (10 innings): Astros 3, Brewers 2.

Record: 90-49, first in the AL West.

Winning pitcher: Roberto Osuna (4-3, 3.13 ERA).

Losing pitcher: Junior Guerra (8-5, 3.63 ERA).

1) It wasn't a no-hitter, but still a gem by Cole 

Gerrit Cole would see his chances of matching Justin Verlander with a no-hitter eliminated in the bottom of the first inning. Cole allowed a one-out solo home run, putting the Brewers up 1-0 early. He was quick to shrug off that early mistake, mowing down batters to get to another double-digit strikeout start with the tenth coming in the bottom of the fifth. In that same inning, Cole would face a tough test after loading the bases with two outs but would get another strikeout to end Milwaukee's threat.

With his pitch count rising, he emptied the tank in the bottom of the sixth trying to finish off one more inning before Houston would have to go to their bullpen. Cole would end up providing a 1-2-3 inning with two more strikeouts, bringing his total to fourteen on the day. His final line: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 14 K, 1 HR.

2) Bregman ties it, Alvarez gives Houston the lead 


Houston's offense was able to work Adrian Houser deep into counts several times over the early parts of the game, but would not get on the scoreboard until the third inning when Alex Bregman hit an RBI-single to tie the game 1-1.

That tie lasted until the top of the sixth inning when Yordan Alvarez would hit a go-ahead solo home run to put Houston ahead 2-1. The homer was Alvarez's 22nd of his rookie campaign, tying Carlos Correa's rookie-record number from 2015.

3) Osuna allows Milwaukee to tie, Springer puts Houston ahead in the tenth

With Cole finished after his six innings, the Astros turned the ball over to Hector Rondon for the bottom of the seventh to maintain the one-run lead. He did so, retiring the Brewers in order with two strikeouts. Will Harris was next out of Houston's bullpen to pitch the bottom of the eighth, and he was able to erase a one-out single by flashing a little leather on a double play to keep the Astros ahead by one run going to the ninth.

With the score still 2-1 going to the bottom of the ninth, Roberto Osuna would come in for another save opportunity. Instead, he allowed a leadoff home run to Christian Yelich to tie the game. After two outs, Osuna had a comebacker then botched the throw to first, extending the inning, but would get a strikeout to send the game to extra innings.

In the top of the tenth, George Springer immediately broke the tie with a leadoff dinger to put Houston back in front 3-2. Josh James, making his return from a stint on the injured list, came in for the bottom of the tenth and was able to hold off the Brewers, despite two walks, to complete the win.

Up Next: The Astros will wrap up this two-game set with the Brewers on Tuesday at 6:40 PM. The expected pitching matchup is Jordan Lyles (9-8, 4.55 ERA) for Milwaukee going up against Zack Greinke (14-4, 2.99 ERA) for Houston.

The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.

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The Astros beat the Phillies, 2-1. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.

Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.

Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.

Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.

Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!

Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.

Key moment

Smith’s RBI.

Key stat

Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.

Up next

The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.

The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).

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