PHILLIES DEFEAT ASTROS
Astros stumble in extras, Phillies get the win 3-2
Aug 26, 2024, 9:28 pm
Astros lose in extra innings. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.
Bryce Harper hit a game-ending RBI single in the 10th inning off Houston closer Josh Hader, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Astros 3-2 in a matchup of division leaders on Monday night.
Brandon Marsh homered for Philadelphia, which won its third straight. The Phillies entered leading the NL East by six games over Atlanta, while Houston began play 4 1/2 games ahead of Seattle in the AL West.
“I thought we fought and kept after it,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said.
Shay Whitcomb had a pair of RBIs for Houston, which defeated Philadelphia in the 2022 World Series.
With runners on first and second and no outs, Harper lined the first pitch he saw from Hader (6-7), a 96 mph sinker, to right field to score automatic runner Kyle Schwarber. Hader struck out the side in order in the ninth, finishing the inning by getting Schwarber looking on a sinker.
“Happy it got through and happy to win the game,” Harper said.
Matt Strahm (6-2) worked a scoreless 10th for Philadelphia. He got help on the final out from center fielder Johan Rojas, who made a diving catch to rob Yainer Diaz of a base hit that would have scored the automatic runner.
“He got a pretty good jump, and he closes on it as good as anybody,” Thomson said. “A lot of guys don't make that catch.”
Philadelphia scored 22 runs while winning a pair of games over the weekend at Kansas City. But the Astros limited the Phillies to Marsh’s fifth-inning, opposite-field drive off Ronel Blanco and Nick Castellanos’ RBI single in the sixth before Harper came through in extra innings.
Phillies players mobbed Harper after he rounded first base, celebrating a victory to start a seven-game homestand against the Astros and the Braves.
“Big at-bats by everybody and the bullpen did their job,” Harper said.
Whitcomb put Houston in front with a two-run, two-out single in the fourth off Zack Wheeler.
“Just one hit away, but our at-bats were really good,” Houston manager Joe Espada said.
Wheeler gave up six hits in six innings with six strikeouts and two walks.
“It's fun,” Wheeler said. “Two good teams going at it.”
Blanco lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: Placed left-handed reliever José Alvarado on the restricted list for a personal matter. The 29-year-old Alvarado has a 4.30 ERA in 56 appearances this season. He has converted 13 of 16 save opportunities. Philadelphia recalled right-hander Michael Mercado from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
UP NEXT
Astros RHP Justin Verlander (3-3, 3.92 ERA) opposes Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (11-6, 3.45) as the series continues Tuesday night.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
The Houston Astros are looking to stop the bleeding.
After dropping their fifth straight game Monday night, and their 10th in the past 11 at Daikin Park, the American League West leaders turn to right-hander Jason Alexander on Tuesday night to face the Washington Nationals in the second game of the series.
Houston still sits atop the division at 60-47, but the recent slide has begun to test the edges of their depth and momentum. They’ll try to steady things against a Nationals team that’s playing better than its record suggests. Washington has won six of its last 10, including Monday’s 2-1 series-opening victory, and arrives with a bit of confidence behind starter Mike Soroka.
Alexander (1-1, 8.14 ERA) will make his third start of the season for Houston and is still looking for consistency after a bumpy start to his campaign. The Nationals counter with Soroka (3-8, 4.85 ERA), who has quietly put together a string of solid outings while showing improved command. Soroka has struck out 83 and posted a 1.13 WHIP over 78 innings.
Offensively, both teams have had their share of struggles of late. The Astros have hit just .241 over their past 10 games and have been outscored by 13 runs during that stretch. On Monday, they managed just one run for the third straight contest, wasting a 12-strikeout night from Framber Valdez.
Veteran second baseman Jose Altuve remains a key contributor with 17 doubles and 17 home runs, while Christian Walker has been one of Houston’s more reliable bats lately, going 12-for-37 over the past 10 games.
For Washington, Luis Garcia has tallied 22 doubles and 45 RBIs on the year, and Josh Bell has chipped in with two homers in his last 10 outings.
The Astros are still favored to bounce back — listed as -142 favorites by BetMGM — but with the recent home woes and a struggling rotation, nothing seems guaranteed right now in Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.
Lineup takeaways
What is Joe Espada doing to try to snap the losing streak? He'll start with Taylor Trammell leading off and playing left field, which has Jose Altuve as the DH and hitting second. Christian Walker will once again hit third, with Cam Smith (RF) back in the cleanup spot after a day off.
Jacob Melton is returns to center field and will hit fifth, followed by catcher Yainer Diaz and Mauricio Dubon (3B).
Espada, looking to shake things up and provide the offense with a spark, goes with Shay Whitcomb over Brice Matthews at second base, and Zack Short (SS) will hit ninth.
Expecto Patronum ✨Lineup✨
⚾️: 7:10pm
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/Rn6eiw2fJJ
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 29, 2025
___________________________
*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!