ANAHEIM, Calif. – September 28, 2025 – The Houston Astros closed out their disappointing 2025 campaign with a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium on Sunday, finishing with an 87-75 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The victory was highlighted by Lance McCullers Jr.’s emotional return from the injured list in what served as a bittersweet conclusion to the franchise’s first non-playoff season in nearly a decade.
In perhaps the most compelling storyline of the season finale, McCullers was activated from the injured list specifically to start Houston’s final game. The veteran right-hander, making his first appearance since early in the season, delivered a gutsy three-inning performance that embodied the resilience the Astros showed despite their playoff elimination.
McCullers allowed two hits and one run—a solo homer to Mike Trout in the first inning—while striking out four batters over three innings. Though he surrendered Trout’s 26th home run of the season, a 443-foot blast to left center, McCullers battled through 54 pitches (35 strikes) and provided exactly what the Astros needed: a veteran presence to anchor their season finale.
The Astros wasted little time responding to Trout’s early homer, taking the lead in the bottom of the first when Yainer Diaz singled to center, scoring Mauricio Dubón and advancing Victor Caratini to third for a 1-0 advantage before Trout’s blast temporarily knotted the score.
The decisive blow came in the fifth inning when Houston exploded for three runs to take control of the game. Diaz opened the inning with a solo home run to left center (411 feet), putting the Astros back ahead 2-1. The power display continued as Ramon Urías followed with a two-run homer to left (382 feet), scoring Smith to extend Houston’s lead to 4-1. Brice Matthews capped the inning with a solo shot to left center (420 feet), giving the Astros a commanding 5-1 advantage.
Caratini added an insurance run in the sixth with a solo homer to center (417 feet), providing the final margin in what became a comfortable victory.
After McCullers’ emotional three-inning start, Colton Gordon (6-4) was masterful in relief, throwing five scoreless innings while allowing no hits, walking one, and striking out three. Gordon’s performance was a microcosm of what the Astros hoped to see more of throughout the season—dominant pitching that kept games within reach.
Jake Murray closed out the game with one inning of work, allowing one run on four hits while striking out two. The Angels managed just one final run in the ninth when Carter Kieboom singled to center, scoring Jo Adell for the 6-2 final score.
Angels starter Sueiro Aldegheri (7-14) took the loss, surrendering six runs on 11 hits over 4.2 innings. The left-hander was tagged for four home runs and struggled to find his command in what became his 14th loss of the season.
The victory improved Houston’s final record to 87-75, the same mark as the Detroit Tigers, but the Astros lost the head-to-head tiebreaker and finished on the outside of the playoff picture. The Astros were officially eliminated from postseason contention on September 27 following the Cleveland Guardians’ 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers, ending their remarkable eight-year playoff streak.
Despite the disappointing conclusion, individual performances throughout the season provided hope for the future. The team’s ability to win their final two games after playoff elimination demonstrated the character that has defined the organization throughout its successful run.
As the Astros head into the offseason, questions will abound about the direction of the franchise. The 87-75 record, while disappointing by recent Houston standards, still represented a competitive season that came down to the final weekend. As the organization turns its attention to 2026, Sunday’s season finale victory over the Angels will be remembered not just as the end of a difficult season, but as a reminder of the fight that continues to define Astros baseball.
