The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 on Tuesday night at Daikin Park in Houston. The series, a rematch of the 2022 World Series, will continue tomorrow night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
This was a matchup of left-handers, as the Phillies (47-32) turned to Ranger Suarez. He worked a clean first inning, getting off to a solid start.
The Astros (46-33) countered with Framber Valdez. Valdez also put up a zero in the first, setting the stage for a potential pitcher’s duel.
The pitcher’s duel ensued, as both starters settled in quickly. Neither allowed a run in the first half of the game, with Suarez going one step further and not allowing a hit either.
Valdez had a shutout working into the sixth, and Suarez had a no-hitter. While the Astros got seven shutout out of their starter, the Phillies tried to get an eighth inning from Suarez.
That did not work out, as in the eighth, Cooper Hummel launched a solo home run to give Houston a 1-0 lead.
That would be the only run scored, as Josh Hader closed things out in the ninth to give the Astros the win.
BIG NUMBER: 20
Josh Hader has now converted 20 consecutive saves to start the season. The franchise record to start a year is 29, also held by Hader.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Cooper Hummel
Hummel delivered the biggest swing of the game, a solo homer in the eighth. It was the only run scored, and the recently called up Hummel was the hero for Houston on this night.
UP NEXT: The Astros and Phillies will match up again tomorrow, June 25th, at 7:10 PM. You can listen to the action on ESPN 103.7 Lafayette 104.1 Lake Charles.