Houston splits the mini-series with LA
Astros drop finale to Dodgers in quiet night at the plate
Sep 13, 2020, 10:01 pm
Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
Astros Zack Greinke
After the exciting comeback win in the opener of this two-game set, the Astros were back on primetime TV Sunday night facing the Dodgers in LA to try and complete the mini-sweep. Here's how the game unfolded:
Final Score: Dodgers 8, Astros 1.
Record: 23-24, second in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Victor Gonzalez (3-0, 1.13 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Zack Greinke (3-2, 3.77 ERA).
Dodgers get to Greinke in the fifth
Much like in Saturday's game, the Dodgers would build up a lead in the early parts of the game on Sunday. They were first to score in the bottom of the first, getting a two-out solo home run by AJ Pollock against Zack Greinke to go up 1-0.
The game stayed there until the bottom of the fifth, when the Dodgers would put together a hit parade against Greinke, scoring four runs in the inning on five hits, including a two-run homer by Mookie Betts, extending their lead to 5-0. Greinke would finish that inning but go no further as Houston moved to their bullpen in the sixth. His final line: 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 65 P.
Astros fall back below .500 with the loss
George Springer would get Houston on the board in the top of the sixth, leading off the inning with a solo homer to make it 5-1. With Greinke's day done, Cristian Javier made an appearance in relief. He would toss two scoreless innings, looking sharp as he would allow just one hit while getting five of his six outs via strikeouts.
Brooks Raley would follow Javier to pitch in the eighth, but after allowing back-to-back one-out hits, would get just two outs into the frame before Dusty Baker would make another pitching change. Instead of ending the inning cleanly, Cy Sneed allowed a three-run home run to extend the Dodgers' lead to 8-1 before ending the frame. That score would go final as the Astros would split the mini-series with Los Angeles and fall back below .500 on the year.
Up Next: With this road trip in the books, the Astros will get their last scheduled day off for the regular season on Monday. They'll begin their final homestand on Tuesday, starting a three-game set with the Rangers at 7:10 PM Central. Jose Urquidy (0-1, 3.72 ERA) will make a start for Houston, while Kyle Cody (0-1, 0.93 ERA) will be on the mound for Texas.
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The Houston Astros (37-30) aim to close out their series against the Chicago White Sox (23-45) on a high note Thursday night at Daikin Park. The three-game set is currently tied 1-1, and with a chance to secure their 11th series win at home, the Astros will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) has quietly been one of the most consistent arms in the American League. Known for his heavy sinker and ground-ball inducing style, he enters the night with a stellar 1.06 WHIP and 84 strikeouts. With the Astros bullpen having absorbed some heavy usage earlier this week, Valdez will be counted on to give Houston quality length.
Opposing him will be right-hander Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62 ERA), who has pitched better than his win-loss record suggests. Martin has maintained a 1.21 WHIP and will try to quiet an Astros lineup that broke out for 10 runs in Wednesday’s win.
Houston’s offense has been led lately by Jeremy Peña, who is batting .439 over his last 10 games with five doubles, two homers, and six RBIs. Isaac Paredes continues to be a steady power threat, leading the team with 14 home runs and a .468 slugging percentage. José Altuve, fresh off his 2,300th career hit, adds veteran stability to the top of the order.
The Astros are 23-13 at home this season and have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games. When they avoid giving up home runs, they win — as shown by their 20-4 record in games where they keep the ball in the yard. That will be a key Thursday against a White Sox team that’s light on power but capable of grinding out runs when they out-hit opponents (16-9 when doing so).
Chicago, meanwhile, has struggled mightily on the road, going just 7-27 away from Guaranteed Rate Field. Still, they’ve had unexpected success against the Astros this season, winning three of the first five matchups. Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman have been among the few bright spots in a lineup that’s hit just .227 over its last 10 games and been outscored by six runs.
With the series on the line and the division-leading Astros looking to stay hot, Thursday night offers a chance to assert their edge with a trusted ace on the hill and momentum building in the lineup.
Here's a preview of the Astros lineup for the finale!
For the series.
⚾️: 7:10 PM
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/WsXWQV4ZkI
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 12, 2025
Christian Walker remains in the five spot after his big night in Game 2. Victor Caratini will be the DH hitting seventh behind Jake Meyers. Jose Altuve is shifting back to left field, with Jacob Melton getting the night off. And Brendan Rodgers will hit last and play second base.
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