Jose Altuve hit a three-run home run, Hunter Brown struck out five batters over six innings, and the Houston Astros extended their winning streak at home to 10 games with a 6-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday night.
Astros manager Joe Espada praised Altuve’s swing, describing it as consistent and powerful over the years. Alex Bregman and Jake Meyers also hit home runs, contributing to the Astros’ strong offensive performance. Josh Hader closed out the game with his 18th consecutive save, maintaining the Astros’ impressive record since June 1, where they’ve won 25 out of 36 games.
In the sixth inning with a narrow 3-2 lead, Altuve capitalized on a 1-1 changeup from Texas pitcher José Ureña, hitting a 365-foot home run into the left field seats to extend the Astros’ lead to 6-2.
“After chasing pitches out of the zone earlier in the game, I focused on waiting for a pitch I could hit,” Altuve explained about his approach.
The Astros’ defense also played a crucial role in supporting Brown’s pitching. In the first inning, Chas McCormick made a diving catch in right field to prevent runs. Additionally, the team turned two double plays in the second and third innings to maintain their lead.
Brown, who earned his sixth win in his last seven starts, allowed two runs on five hits and walked two batters. Manager Joe Espada commended Brown’s performance, noting his explosive pitching and crucial pitches when needed.
Hader closed out the game strongly in the ninth inning, striking out two of the three batters he faced. This marked his second consecutive save and his sixth save in July, contributing to the Astros’ victory over the Rangers.
