HOUSTON, TX – July 9, 2025 – The Houston Astros’ struggles continued at home today as the Cleveland Guardians completed a three-game sweep, defeating them 4-2 in the series finale at Daikin Park. The loss marks the Astros’ third straight defeat and a disappointing end to their homestand.
Guardians starter Slade Cecconi (4-4) was outstanding, earning the win after allowing just two runs on six hits over seven dominant innings, striking out a career-high nine batters. Paul Sewald (2nd save) closed out the game for Cleveland. Astros starter Brandon Walter (1-2) took the loss, giving up two runs on two hits over six innings, but was undone by a rough seventh.
The Guardians wasted no time, taking an early lead in the first inning with back-to-back solo home run from Angel Martínez and José Ramírez off Brandon Walter, making it 2-0. Ramírez’s homer was his third in as many games.
Walter then settled in remarkably, retiring the next 17 batters he faced. However, in the seventh inning, after Walter was pulled, the Guardians extended their lead. Reliever Bennett Sousa gave up a two-run single to Johnathan Rodríguez, pushing Cleveland’s advantage to 4-0.
The Astros finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth. Mauricio Dubón hit an RBI double, scoring Taylor Trammell, and Jose Altuve followed with an RBI double off reliever Jakob Junis, cutting the deficit to 4-2. However, the rally stalled there, as the Astros went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position for the game, a recurring issue in the series.
The series sweep at the hands of a Guardians team that entered Houston on a 10-game losing streak is a significant setback for the Astros.
With this defeat, the Houston Astros’ record now stands at 55 wins and 38 losses (55-38). They will now face the Texas Rangers at home in their next series.
