The Houston Astros have made a habit of late comebacks, and Sunday they turned another one into a milestone. Raynel Delgado hit the first home run of his major league career, Isaac Paredes tied the game in the eighth inning, and Christian Walker blasted a three-run homer in the 10th as Houston rallied for a 7-5 win over the Detroit Tigers. The Astros took three of four in the series to secure their fifth consecutive series victory, improving to 42-44.
Walker’s homer delivered the decisive blow, but it took contributions throughout the roster to get there. Hunter Brown worked six innings of three-run ball, settling in after Zach McKinstry’s two-run homer in the second inning. Bryan Abreu, Steven Okert, Bryan King, and Josh Hader combined for three scoreless innings while the offense mounted its comeback. Hader walked the bases loaded with two outs in the ninth before punching out Riley Greene on a sinker to force extras.
In the 10th, extra-innings runner Jeremy Peña stood at second. Alvarez walked. Paredes lined a two-strike cutter to right for a single, scoring Peña and giving Houston a 4-3 lead. Kenley Jansen stayed in to face Walker, who took him to a full count before launching the sixth pitch of the at-bat over the left-field wall for a three-run homer that made it 7-3.
Enyel De Los Santos allowed a two-run homer to Spencer Torkelson in the bottom of the 10th, and the Tigers put the potential tying run on base before Matt Vierling flied to the warning track in right field to end it.
Delgado’s Moment
With the Astros trailing 3-0 entering the seventh and Jack Flaherty having held them to two hits through five, the game appeared headed for a quiet loss. Meyers reached on a Colt Keith error to extend the inning. Delgado, a rookie playing second base with Jose Altuve resting, drove a sweeper from Tyler Holton into the right-field seats for a two-run homer that changed everything. It was the first of his career.
Two innings later, Paredes continued his strong June by leading off the ninth with a game-tying homer against Kyle Finnegan. Paredes has an .886 OPS in June and has delivered timely extra-base hits in consecutive games.
Brown Steady
Brown worked six innings on 103 pitches, his longest outing since returning from a shoulder strain. He allowed a McKinstry two-run homer in the second and a third run in the fifth on a Delgado error—a two-out chopper by Greene that should have ended the inning. Brown allowed just one hit over his final four innings and finished with four strikeouts. He has been one of Houston’s most reliable starters since returning from the IL, and Sunday was another step in the right direction.
Flaherty Sharp
Flaherty returned from an IL stint for a lower leg tendon strain and held the Astros in check for five innings, striking out nine and allowing two hits. Meyers doubled to open the third, moved to third on a wild pitch, and was stranded. The Astros loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth and came away with nothing. They managed just two hits through five innings before the seventh-inning rally.
Javier Update
Cristian Javier made his fifth rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Sugar Land, throwing six scoreless innings on 85 pitches. His 30-day rehab assignment limit is approaching. Espada said the club will sit down with Javier to discuss next steps but did not commit to a return date.
Up Next
The Astros return home to face the Minnesota Twins in a three-game series beginning Monday at Daikin Park. Peter Lambert, Mike Burrows, and Tatsuya Imai are scheduled to start. The Twins are projected to send Zebby Matthews, Joe Ryan, and Taj Bradley to the mound.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check our complete Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
