The Houston Astros stormed past the Atlanta Braves with an emphatic 11–3 victory at Truist Park on a scorching 100-degree day. The win improved the Astros’ record to 79-68, solidifying their position at the top of the AL West. Meanwhile, the Braves dropped to 65-81, remaining in 4th place in the NL East.
AJ Blubaugh secured the win for the Astros, bringing his record to 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA. Hurston Waldrep, who had an impressive 1.33 ERA coming into the game, suffered the loss as the Astros’ bats came alive.
Astros’ Offensive Showcase
The Astros’ offense was relentless, tallying 13 hits to make their mark on the scoreboard. Cole Jr. was the standout performer with a 4 RBI game, accompanied by a home run that set the tone for Houston’s explosive fifth inning. Altuve and Meyers also contributed significantly with two runs each.
Altuve added a solo home run, while Walker and Dubón drove in multiple runs with key hits. The Astros methodically dismantled the Braves’ pitching, scoring in four consecutive innings to pull away decisively.
Despite the Braves’ home advantage, their pitching struggled to contain the Astros’ lineup. Both Waldrep and Dunning found it difficult to keep the Astros off the board, combining to give up 11 runs over 7 innings pitched.
Braves’ Late Response
On the offensive end for the Braves, Ronald Acuña Jr. managed to hit a solo home run, adding some life to an otherwise quiet game. Eli White chipped in with a two-run shot in the eighth inning, but it was too little, too late for Atlanta.
Collectively, the Braves mustered only five hits throughout the contest. Profar and Ozuna each contributed a hit, but the Braves were unable to capitalize on opportunities against a dominating Astros’ pitching effort.
Astros’ Pitching Command
The Astros’ pitching staff showcased its depth, with Jason Murray starting strong with 3 innings of scoreless baseball. Blubaugh and Hernandez followed suit, maintaining the shutout into the sixth inning.
Although Chandler Gordon allowed three runs late in the game, the Astros had already built a comfortable lead. Overall, the Astros pitchers combined for seven strikeouts and limited the Braves to just a handful of scoring chances.
The win has the Astros well-positioned for the postseason, as they now prepare to face the Braves again in the coming days. Meanwhile, the Braves will look to rebound in the remaining games of this homestand as they fight to improve their record.
With the Astros leading the series, manager Joe Espada’s squad will aim to maintain their momentum. As for the Braves, manager Brian Snitker will be hoping for a more consistent performance in the next game to challenge the visitors.
