GIANTS DEFEAT ASTROS
Late rally falls short as Astros drop opener to San Francisco
Mar 31, 2025, 10:30 pm
GIANTS DEFEAT ASTROS
Wilmer Flores hit his third homer of the season and drove in four runs to lead the San Francisco Giants over the Houston Astros 7-2 on Monday night.
Giants starter Jordan Hicks (1-0), who grew up in suburban Houston, allowed only a first-inning single and struck out six in six innings.
There were two on with two outs in the sixth when Flores sent a slider from Luis Contreras into the left-field seats to make it 5-0. The homer came after Flores hit an RBI single in the second to give San Francisco an early lead.
The Astros had managed just one hit and had a runner on second when Jose Altuve singled off Spencer Bivens with two outs in the eighth. Isaac Paredes then smacked a double off the wall in left field to score two runs and cut it to 5-2. Erik Miller took over and struck out Yordan Alvarez to end the inning.
Isaac off the wall!#TheNextFrontier pic.twitter.com/oxXINXHz2o
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 1, 2025
Ronel Blanco (0-1), who threw a no-hitter in his season debut last year, allowed three hits and three runs with three walks in five-plus innings.
LaMonte Wade Jr. had a sacrifice fly in the fifth that made it 2-0.
Christian Walker singled with two outs in the first before Hicks retired the next 14 batters, fanning five straight. Altuve walked with one out in the sixth, but Hicks set down the next two batters to end the inning and his night.
Matt Chapman drove in two runs with a single in the ninth that made it 7-2.
The home run by Flores that padded the lead in the sixth.
San Francisco’s Bob Melvin managed his 200th career game against the Astros, improving to 99-101 with the victory.
RHP Hayden Wesneski makes his Houston debut against RHP Logan Webb when the series continues Tuesday night. Wesneski joined the Astros this offseason from the Chicago Cubs as part of the trade for outfielder Kyle Tucker.
San Francisco Giants (3-1) vs. Houston Astros (2-2)
Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. EDT, Houston
Probable Pitchers:
BetMGM Sportsbook Line:
Here's a look at tonight's lineup with Hayden Wesneski on the hill.
Let's do it.
⚾️: 7:10 PM
🏟️: Closed
📺: @SpaceCityHN
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM #BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/DSuRmxUNZN
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 1, 2025
Bottom Line:
The San Francisco Giants aim to secure a series win against the Houston Astros after taking the opener. San Francisco is off to a strong start at 3-1, while Houston looks to even its record after a 2-2 start to the season.
The Astros, who finished 88-73 last season with a solid 46-35 home record, will rely on their lineup to generate runs against Logan Webb. Houston averaged 4.6 runs per game in 2024 while holding opponents to four runs per contest. Wesneski, making his Astros debut, will look to contain a Giants offense that averaged eight hits per game last season and launched 177 home runs.
Injuries:
Both teams will look to set the tone early as they continue this early-season interleague matchup.
*ChatGPT assisted.