Mauricio Dubón hit two homers, but the Astros fell to the Phillies 6-3 on June 24, 2025. Framber Valdez struggled against a dominant Ranger Suárez performance.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a classic 'good news, bad news' kind of night at Daikin Park. The bad news? The Astros dropped the series opener to a tough Phillies team, 6-3. The good news? Mauricio Dubón decided to put on a one-man power show, launching two homers and reminding everyone of the depth this team possesses. While the final score stings, the bigger picture for the 45-34 Astros remains complex but hopeful.
Mauricio Dubón was the lone star in the Houston lineup, going 2-for-4 with two home runs and accounting for all three of the team's RBIs.
Framber Valdez just didn't seem to have his best stuff on Tuesday. The Groundball King battled through six innings but surrendered five runs to a potent Phillies lineup, ultimately taking the loss. On the other side, Ranger Suárez was masterful for Philadelphia, silencing the Astros' bats for seven innings while striking out eight. Outside of Dubón, the offense struggled to get anything going against him, and a late insurance run off the bullpen sealed the deal. It was a frustrating start to a crucial series against a fellow contender.
Let's talk about the brightest spot of the night: Mauricio Dubón. He was the entire offense. His solo shot got the Astros on the board, and his later two-run blast kept them within striking distance. It was a powerful display from the utility man who continues to step up whenever his name is called. In a lineup missing some of its biggest bats, Dubón's performance was a much-needed jolt of energy and a testament to the 'next man up' mentality that has kept this team afloat.
While the loss stings, help is on the horizon. The infirmary is starting to clear out, with several key arms and a starting infielder making significant progress. Righty Spencer Arrighetti threw off a mound for the first time since breaking his thumb, a huge step toward a July return. Lance McCullers Jr. isn't far behind, throwing long toss and nearing a mound session of his own. Even second baseman Brendan Rodgers is feeling better and ramping up activities. These updates, coupled with the recent move to option David Hensley to get him regular at-bats in Sugar Land, show the front office is actively managing the roster for a strong second-half push. As Manager Joe Espada has noted about the team's recent success, it takes everyone, and getting these key pieces back will only strengthen the AL West leaders.
One loss doesn't define a season, especially not for a team that's gone 12-4 in June while navigating a minefield of injuries. The Astros will look to bounce back tomorrow and even the series against the Phillies. With Dubón swinging a hot bat and the promise of a healthier roster just around the corner, there's every reason to believe this team will shake off Tuesday's loss and continue its march toward October.
