José Altuve's two homers led the Houston Astros to a massive 18-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 5, 2025. See how Altuve silenced the boos.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a stadium filled with boos every time he stepped to the plate, José Altuve gave the Dodger faithful 18 reasons to go home early. The Houston Astros didn't just win on Saturday night; they delivered an absolute beatdown, routing the Los Angeles Dodgers 18-1 in a statement victory. What was billed as a marquee matchup between Framber Valdez and Shohei Ohtani quickly became the Altuve show, as Houston's offense erupted in a historic display of power that echoed from Chavez Ravine all the way back to Texas.
Two homers, five RBIs, and a final score of 18-1. José Altuve didn't just answer the boos; he drowned them out.
From the very first inning, the Astros were relentless. They hung two runs on the board early and never looked back, turning the game into a laugher by the middle frames. The undisputed star was José Altuve, who seemed to feed off the hostile LA crowd. He launched two towering home runs, added a double, and drove in five runs in a vintage performance. He wasn't alone, as Christian Walker chipped in with a run-scoring single, and the entire lineup contributed to an offensive onslaught that overwhelmed a parade of Dodgers pitchers. Framber Valdez was sharp on the mound, cruising through the LA lineup while his offense built an insurmountable lead. The Dodgers' lone run felt like an afterthought in a game Houston dominated from start to finish.
While the fireworks were happening on the field, the front office was busy shoring up the roster. On Friday, the team made a series of moves to bolster its pitching depth. RHP Jordan Weems was designated for assignment, while the club signed veteran RHP Tayler Scott to a minor league deal and recalled RHP Jason Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land. These transactions highlight the team's proactive approach to managing the bullpen through a grueling part of the schedule, ensuring fresh arms are always available.
The news from the training room was largely positive. Yordan Alvarez received an encouraging update on his fractured right hand, with a specialist visit revealing that inflammation is now the primary concern—a huge relief. Shortstop Jeremy Peña (rib fracture) is also trending in the right direction and is expected back before the All-Star break. Even Cristian Javier, recovering from Tommy John surgery, took a step forward by throwing a bullpen session. The only damper was Luis Guillorme's placement on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain, but the overall picture is one of a team getting healthier.
Reinforcements for the outfield are officially on the way. Chas McCormick began a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys on July 4th. His return will provide a significant boost to the Astros' outfield, adding another quality bat and glove to the lineup as the team gears up for the second half of the season. His progress in Sugar Land will be closely monitored by fans eager to see him back in Houston.
One game, even a historic blowout, doesn't define a season. But this felt different. This was a message. With the offense firing on all cylinders and key players like Alvarez and McCormick on the verge of returning, the Astros are looking more dangerous than ever. The challenge now is to carry this explosive energy through the rest of the Dodgers series and into the All-Star break. If this is a sign of things to come, the rest of the league is officially on notice.
