Christian Walker's 9th-inning single lifted the Astros over the D-backs 4-3 on July 23. Josh Hader sealed the win with his 27th save. Recap the drama!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a game that felt like a microcosm of their season, the Houston Astros battled through adversity, leaned on their veterans, and snatched a thrilling 4-3 victory from the jaws of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night. Christian Walker played the hero, lacing a go-ahead single in the top of the ninth, before Josh Hader slammed the door with an emphatic strikeout to prove that even when they're banged up, this Astros team simply knows how to win.
Josh Hader struck out Ketel Marte looking to end the game, notching his 27th save of the season and preserving the Astros' 4-3 win.
The game was a nail-biter from the jump, but the real drama unfolded late. After Arizona rallied to tie the game 3-3 in the eighth, the Astros answered right back in the ninth. Yainer Diaz, who scored two of Houston's four runs, got aboard before Zack Short took his place on the basepaths. That set the stage for Christian Walker, who delivered a clutch single to score Short and give Houston the decisive 4-3 lead. The bottom of the inning belonged to Josh Hader, who calmly entered, shut down the D-backs, and froze Ketel Marte on a called third strike to secure his 27th save. It was a gutsy team win, powered by key contributions like Mauricio Dubón's RBI single and a solid start from Brandon Walter, who fanned six over 5.2 innings.
The victory was even more impressive given the news coming out of the training room. The Astros officially placed Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day IL with a recurring blister issue, sending him back to Houston for evaluation. The news is even grimmer for third baseman Isaac Paredes, who is expected to miss extended time with a significant right hamstring strain. These are two massive blows to the rotation and the lineup, testing the depth of a team already navigating a long season.
With key players down, GM Dana Brown wasted no time making moves. The Astros recalled infielder/outfielder Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land and, in a nostalgic turn, purchased the contract of first baseman Jon Singleton. To make room, Brendan Rodgers was transferred to the 60-day IL. These moves, coupled with Chas McCormick's recent return from the IL, show the front office is scrambling to plug the holes. It's now on Whitcomb and Singleton to step in and provide a spark.
There is a glimmer of good news on the injury front. Infielder Luis Guillorme, out since early July with his own hamstring strain, officially began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys tonight. His eventual return will provide some much-needed stability and depth for an infield that is currently stretched thin. His progress will be one of the most closely watched storylines over the next week or two.
This team's character is being tested, but they're finding ways to win. With McCullers and Paredes sidelined, the next couple of weeks will be a true test of Houston's 'next man up' mentality. All eyes will be on the new faces and the bullpen to see if they can keep this momentum rolling. It wasn't pretty, but it was a win, and right now, that's all that matters.
