Jordan Thomas and the tight ends kept the Texans in the game. Bob Levey/Getty Images
The Texans had a rough day with the Colts ending their win streak at nine games. One of the bright spots on the day was the play of the Texans tight ends. They combined for 11 catches and 151 yards in the loss.
Ryan Griffin had one of his better games catching the ball consistently being open and ending up with a handful of Watson passes. His fourth-quarter catch and run for 47 yards was one of the best plays all day. Griffin nearly scored but was stopped short of the goal line. The Texans challenged but didn't get it overturned into a score. Griffin had five catches for 80 yards.
Jordan Thomas continued to showcase his ability to get open and make plays in space. One of his catches was an absolute snag to keep a Texans drive alive. He had four catches for 31 yards.
Jordan Akins went to work early catching a couple of passes and netting 40 yards. He was a key part of the Texans scoring drive early in the game.
The Texans tight ends have always had a prominent role for Bill O'Brien's offense, even when they weren't getting the ball. O'Brien hasn't ever had this type of depth at the position though and he uses them all. Despite the loss, Griffin's reemergence is an important aspect for this offense down the stretch.
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Yordan Alvarez’s long home run backed a solid start by Hunter Brown as the Houston Astros beat the Kansas City Royals 7-3 on Sunday in the series finale to avoid being swept.
YORDADDY WITH A 3 RUN HOMER!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/yKg2avqMmC
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 27, 2025
Alvarez snapped Houston’s 26-inning scoreless streak, crushing Kris Bubic’s sinker 436 feet to center for a three-run homer and a 3-0 Astros lead in the third inning.
Brown (4-1), who allowed one run on seven hits and a walk with nine strikeouts over six innings, surrendered a lone hit in each of the first four innings but struck out seven while not allowing a runner past second.
Brown’s 28-inning shutout streak – fifth longest in franchise history – ended in the fifth inning on a two-out single by Jonathan India and an RBI double by Bobby Witt Jr.
Leading off the fifth, Chas McCormick doubled and scored on Jeremy Peña’s single. McCormick had three hits and scored three runs for the Astros.
Peña’s two-out, two-run double in the sixth extended Houston’s lead to 6-1. Peña collected three RBIs in his first game batting leadoff.
La Tormenta is here. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/EVE7XmXGQA
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 27, 2025
Yainer Diaz added a solo home run in the seventh.
Yainer goes yard! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/KdrFMPcKpq
— Houston Astros (@astros) April 27, 2025
Bubic (2-2) allowed four runs on five hits and three walks, striking out four in five innings.
India had a pair of singles and drove in a run while Witt extended his hitting streak to a career-best 19 games.
Key moment
Isaac Paredes drew a four-pitch walk ahead of Alvarez’s three-run blast.
Key stat
Alvarez, who led left-handed major leaguers with a .362 average against left-handed pitchers in 2024, hit his first homer of this season against a left-hander.
Up next
The Astros open a three-game homestand Monday against Detroit with Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty (1-2, 2.63 ERA) opposing RHP Ronel Blanco (2-2, 5.01).
Tuesday, the Royals begin a three-game series against the Rays in Tampa with Royals RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-3, 3.90) against RHP Taj Bradley (2-1, 5.08).