Astros’ Home Struggles Continue as Padres Dominate in 11-2 Rout
In a one-sided affair at Minute Maid Park, the Houston Astros faced yet another defeat on their home turf. The San Diego Padres came out strong, securing an 11-2 victory over the struggling Astros. The visiting team’s dominance at the plate, coupled with strong pitching, proved too much for Houston to handle.
Padres’ starting pitcher Blake Snell showcased his skills, allowing only five hits and two runs while striking out eight batters. Snell has been on a roll lately, securing his third consecutive win. Although he conceded a run for the first time in three starts, Snell maintains his position as the major league leader with an impressive 2.52 ERA.
Houston, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on their recent success. Earlier this week, they had achieved a three-game sweep against the Texas Rangers, scoring an impressive 39 runs with 16 home runs. This dominant performance had catapulted them into sole possession of first place in the AL West. However, their fortunes quickly turned as they struggled to find their rhythm in their own ballpark.
The Astros’ batting woes continued, with just six hits against the Padres after amassing a staggering 50 hits against the Rangers. Their struggles at Minute Maid Park are a cause for concern, as they have now suffered ten losses in their last twelve home games. However, despite the setback, the Mariners also faced a defeat, allowing the Astros to cling to a slim lead in the division.
The Padres wasted no time in asserting their dominance. They pounced on Astros’ rookie pitcher Hunter Brown in the second inning, notching four runs to take a commanding 4-1 lead. Luis Campusano and Trent Grisham contributed with RBI singles, while Ha-Seong Kim drove in two runs with a single.
The offensive display did not stop there. Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to seven games with a solo home run in the third inning, further extending the Padres’ lead to 5-1. Grisham then delivered the knockout blow with a three-run homer in the eighth inning, pushing the lead to an insurmountable 11-2.
Houston’s lone bright spot came in the first inning when Jeremy Peña doubled and subsequently scored on a single by Yordan Alvarez, giving them an early 1-0 lead. However, it was short-lived as the Padres quickly responded, tying the game and taking the lead in the second inning.
The Astros managed to cut the deficit to 6-2 in the fourth inning when Alvarez scored on a ground-rule double by Jose Abreu. But Snell showed his resilience, limiting the damage by striking out Chas McCormick and inducing an out to end the inning.
On the injury front, the Padres faced a setback with catcher Gary Sánchez suffering a fractured right wrist, which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, they made roster adjustments, purchasing the contract of INF/OF Jurickson Profar from Triple-A El Paso and recalling INF Eguy Rosario.
Looking ahead, the Astros will hope to turn their fortunes around as they send RHP Cristian Javier to the mound in the second game of the series. He will face off against the Padres’ RHP Seth Lugo, in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory and solidify their positions in the division standings.
