Crushed it!
Astros blank Cardinals behind big nights from Meyers and Brown
Apr 16, 2025, 8:20 am
The Astros beat the Cardinals, 2-0. Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images.
Jake Meyers had three hits and drove in a run, Hunter Brown threw six shutout innings, to lead the Houston Astros to a 2-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.
Yordan Alverez hit a leadoff homer in the eighth off reliever Kyle Leahy.
Brown (2-1), making his first career appearance against the Cardinals, allowed four hits in pitching his fourth quality start of the season. He struck out four and walked two.
Josh Hader pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his fourth save.
Cardinals starter Erick Fedde (1-2) gave up six hits and three walks in six innings while striking out five. It was his third quality start in four outings this season.
Meyers, who entered the game hitless in his previous nine at-bats, gave Houston the lead in the sixth inning.
Jeremy Peña led off with a double to left. With one out, Meyers hit a single to right that landed just in front of a diving Jordan Walker. Peña never hesitated as he rounded third and slid home to beat the throw. Fedde got of out of the inning when he snagged a line drive from Cam Smith that hit his glove and popped up and back in before he threw to first to double up Peña.
Key moment
With the bases loaded and two outs, Fedde escaped when Jose Altuve flew out to center field to end the fourth inning. In the second inning with the bases full, Fedde escaped on a flyball to right field by Mauricio Dubón.
Key stat
Brendan Donovan doubled in the fourth inning to extend his major league-best hitting streak to 11 games. He is leading the National League in hitting at .382.
Up next
Astros RHP Ronel Blanco (1-1, 6.94) faces off against Cardinals LHP Steven Matz (0-0, 1.93) in the final game of the series on Wednesday.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
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.
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!