HOUSTON, TX – July 8, 2025 – The Houston Astros suffered another heartbreaking loss at Daikin Park, falling 10-6 in 10 innings to the Cleveland Guardians. The game ended dramatically with a grand slam off All-Star closer Josh Hader, marking the Astros’ second consecutive defeat and ensuring the Guardians took the series.
Guardians infielder Angel Martínez hit the first grand slam of his career off Josh Hader with two outs in the 10th inning, sending a sinker just inside the left-field Crawford Boxes for a 334-foot blast that shattered a 6-6 tie. Jakob Junis (2-1) earned the win in relief for Cleveland, while Josh Hader (5-2) was tagged with the loss.
Astros starter Hunter Brown, despite being named AL Pitcher of the Month for June, had a rare rough outing, allowing a season-high six runs over six innings. He gave up a two-run homer to José Ramírez in the first and a two-run single to Daniel Schneemann in the third as the Guardians jumped out to a 6-1 lead by the fourth inning.
The Astros, however, mounted a spirited comeback. Jose Altuve sparked a three-run fifth inning with a two-run double, cutting the lead to 6-4. Houston continued to chip away, and in the bottom of the eighth, Taylor Trammell doubled home Mauricio Dubón, followed by an RBI single from Altuve, tying the game at 6-6 and sending it into extra innings. Altuve finished the night with two hits and four RBIs.
In the fateful 10th inning, Hader inherited a runner at second, intentionally walked José Ramírez, and then walked Carlos Santana to load the bases before Martínez’s game-winning grand slam.
The Astros struggled with runners in scoring position, going just 2-for-21 in those situations, with both hits coming from Altuve. They played without regulars Jeremy Peña, Yordan Alvarez, and Jake Meyers due to injuries, and Christian Walker who was on paternity leave.
The loss pushes the Houston Astros’ record to 55 wins and 37 losses (55-37). They will aim to salvage the final game of the series against the Guardians tomorrow.
