Astros top Dodgers 6-4 on July 6, 2025, as Josh Hader shuts down Ohtani & Betts for his 25th save. Read how Houston clinched the series in Hollywood.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a star-studded showdown at Dodger Stadium, it was Houston's closer who shone brightest. Josh Hader entered a tense situation and proceeded to mow down the heart of the Dodgers' order, securing a thrilling 6-4 victory for the Astros and clinching a massive series win on the road.
Josh Hader retired Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman in order to lock down his MLB-leading 25th save.
When the pressure is highest, the best players deliver. Summoned in the eighth inning with two runners on, Josh Hader did exactly what the Astros pay him for. He promptly struck out Esteury Ruiz to end the threat. But the real main event was the ninth. Facing a murderer's row of Ohtani, Betts, Smith, and Freeman, Hader was simply untouchable, retiring them all to lock down his MLB-leading 25th save. It was a masterclass in closing and a definitive statement against one of the league's best lineups.
While Hader provided the finish, the offense provided the cushion. The game turned during a four-run third inning that saw the Astros put the pressure on. Yainer Diaz ignited the rally with his 11th home run of the season, and Zack Short delivered the big blow with a clutch two-run double. Combined with Friday's 18-run explosion, the Astros have plated an incredible 24 runs in two games at Dodger Stadium. Jose Altuve added his own spark with a triple and a run scored in the seventh.
It wasn't the cleanest outing for Framber Valdez, but it was a winning one. The Astros' ace battled for six innings, striking out seven but also allowing four runs. Despite not having his best stuff, Valdez kept Houston in the game and did enough to earn his 10th win of the season, improving his record to 10-4. It was a gritty performance that showcased his bulldog mentality on the mound.
The good news keeps rolling in for the Astros. The bullpen got an immediate boost with the signing of veteran righty Héctor Neris, a familiar face who brings stability and experience. Even more encouraging is the news from the trainer's room. Yordan Alvarez's hand fracture is now a 'non-factor,' with his pain stemming only from inflammation. Pitchers Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier are progressing well from their surgeries and targeting returns within the next month. To top it off, outfielder Chas McCormick has officially begun his rehab assignment in Triple-A. The Astros are getting healthier at the perfect time.
With the series victory locked up, the Astros will go for the sweep on Sunday. Lefty Colton Gordon gets the ball against the Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan. After flexing their offensive and bullpen muscle in the first two games, a sweep in Los Angeles would send a powerful message to the rest of the league that the road to the World Series still runs through Houston.
