The Astros finally got exactly what they have needed from a starting pitcher. They just didn’t give him enough runs.
Peter Lambert worked seven innings Sunday, but Houston managed only two runs and struck out 12 times in a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Daikin Park. The Astros dropped two of three in the series and fell to 73-71 with 18 games remaining.
Yordan Alvarez provided the early highlight, hitting his 38th home run of the season to establish a new career high. But after Alvarez gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Astros went six innings without scoring again.
Yordan Sets a Career High
Jeremy Peña grounded out to begin the bottom of the first before Alvarez drove Eduardo Rodriguez deep to right field for his 38th homer. The blast surpassed the 37 home runs Alvarez hit in 2022 and gave Houston an immediate 1-0 lead.
The Astros had an opportunity to add more when Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch and Christian Walker walked, but Nelson Velázquez struck out to end the inning.
Arizona answered quickly. Corbin Carroll opened the second with a double, advanced to third on Tommy Troy’s sacrifice bunt, and scored on James McCann’s sacrifice fly to tie the game.
Arenado Puts Arizona Ahead
The Diamondbacks took the lead in the third. Ketel Marte reached on a single before Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer to left-center, his 22nd of the season, putting Arizona ahead 3-1.
Lambert didn’t allow another run. The right-hander settled in after Arenado’s homer and ultimately completed seven innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs without issuing a walk. He struck out six and threw 98 pitches.
It was precisely the kind of length Houston has been searching for from its rotation—and Lambert gave the Astros plenty of opportunity to come back.
Astros Can’t Cash In
Houston’s offense never found much traction against Rodriguez, who allowed three hits and one run over six innings.
Jose Altuve accounted for much of what the Astros did accomplish at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with a double. The three hits left him at 2,499 for his career, one shy of 2,500, and marked his 255th career three-hit game, tying Craig Biggio for the most in Astros history.
But Houston repeatedly failed to turn baserunners into runs.
The Astros finally threatened in the eighth. Altuve doubled with one out, and Walker followed with a single that put runners at the corners. Pinch-hitter LaMonte Wade Jr. then singled to left, scoring Altuve and cutting Arizona’s lead to 3-2.
With Walker at second and Wade at first, Houston had the tying run in scoring position. Daulton Varsho struck out, and Taylor Trammell, pinch-hitting for Cam Smith, flied out to end the inning.
It was Houston’s last real opportunity.
No Ninth-Inning Rally
Miguel Ullola, recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land earlier Sunday, pitched a scoreless eighth, and Bryan Abreu followed with a scoreless ninth to keep the Astros within one. But Kevin Ginkel struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth.
Yainer Diaz went down swinging as a pinch-hitter. Peña followed with another swinging strikeout, leaving the game in Alvarez’s hands. Alvarez struck out swinging as well, ending the game and the series.
Houston finished with seven hits but left nine runners on base. Peña, Paredes, Velázquez, Varsho, and Smith combined to go 0-for-16 with nine strikeouts.
Alvarez finished 1-for-5 and leaves the series batting .314 with 38 home runs and 95 RBI as his pursuit of the American League Triple Crown continues.
Astros Head Into the Off-Day
The Astros dropped two of three to Arizona and fell to 73-71 with 18 games remaining. Texas rallied to beat Tampa Bay on Sunday, trimming Houston’s AL West lead to two games.
Houston now gets its first break after playing 13 consecutive days. The Astros are off Monday before opening a three-game series against the Phillies on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park. Hayden Wesneski is scheduled to start for Houston, while Philadelphia has not yet announced its starter. First pitch is scheduled for 5:40 p.m. CT, with the game airing on Space City Home Network and TBS.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check our complete Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
