Cam Smith made sure the Astros left Philadelphia with a series win.
Smith homered off Jhoan Duran in the ninth inning Thursday, breaking a 1-1 tie and sending Houston to a 2-1 victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. It was Smith’s 20th home run of the season—and his third in as many games in Philadelphia.
After Wednesday’s 11-7 loss, Thursday’s finale looked nothing like its predecessor. Cristian Javier gave Houston six strong innings, and the bullpen took it from there as the Astros held Philadelphia to three hits.
Javier Keeps the Phillies Quiet
Houston gave Javier a 1-0 lead in the second. Christian Walker singled with one out, and Taylor Trammell brought him home with an RBI double to right.
Javier kept that lead intact until the fifth. Luis Arraez singled and Alec Bohm doubled before Bryson Stott’s fielder’s choice scored Arraez to tie the game. Javier escaped further damage when Brandon Marsh grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Javier finished with six innings of three-hit, one-run baseball, walking one and striking out five. Bennett Sousa followed with a perfect seventh, and Bryan Abreu struck out the side in the eighth.
Astros Miss Their Chances
Houston had opportunities to break the tie before the ninth. Jose Altuve, one day after collecting his 2,500th career hit, went 2-for-4 with a bunt single and a double.
His seventh-inning bunt single eventually put him at third with two outs, but Yainer Diaz struck out to end the threat.
The Astros threatened again in the eighth. Jeremy Peña reached on an infield single and throwing error before Yordan Alvarez was intentionally walked. Isaac Paredes then lined into a double play. Altuve followed with a double that left runners at second and third, but Daulton Varsho popped out in foul territory.
Houston finished 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven.
Smith Completes the Trifecta
Then came Smith.
Duran retired Walker to begin the ninth before Smith drove a ball to center field for his 20th homer of the season. Smith finished 2-for-3 with a walk, and the home run completed a Philadelphia trifecta: one home run in each of the three games of the series.
Josh Hader made the one-run lead stand up. He retired Edmundo Sosa, Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner in order in the bottom of the ninth for his 25th save.
Yordan Alvarez had a rough afternoon, going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and an intentional walk. The Astros managed eight hits against Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia bullpen, but Smith’s final one was the difference.
AL West and What’s Next
The win improved Houston to 75-72 and gave the Astros two of three in Philadelphia. The Astros remain two games ahead of the Rangers in the AL West before Texas plays Seattle later Thursday.
Houston now heads to Tampa Bay to open a three-game series against the Rays on Friday.
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