Astros fall to Red Sox 2-1 in a walk-off on Aug 2, 2025, despite a brilliant start from Framber Valdez. Peña & Correa's return is spoiled in a Fenway thriller.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Saturday was a classic 'good news, bad news' day for the Houston Astros. The good news? Shortstops Jeremy Peña and Carlos Correa are officially back from the injured list, injecting some much-needed firepower into the lineup. The bad news? It wasn't enough to overcome the Boston Red Sox, as the Astros fell 2-1 in a gut-wrenching, 10-inning walk-off at Fenway Park.
Framber Valdez was masterful, pitching 7 strong innings, allowing just 1 run, and striking out 8 in a no-decision.
This one was a nail-biter from the start. Framber Valdez was in absolute command, silencing the Boston bats for seven brilliant innings. His only blemish was a single run, but he racked up eight strikeouts in a performance that deserved a win. The Astros' offense struggled to get going, with Jose Altuve driving in the lone run. Jeremy Peña, in his first game back, looked sharp, going 2-for-4 with a double. But the bats couldn't deliver the knockout blow, sending the game to extras. In the bottom of the 10th, closer Bryan Abreu couldn't escape the jam, surrendering the game-winning single to Roman Anthony that sent the Fenway faithful home happy and left the Astros with a tough loss.
Despite the final score, the biggest takeaway for Astros fans should be the return of Jeremy Peña and Carlos Correa. Seeing Peña immediately contribute with a multi-hit game is a fantastic sign after his hamstring issue. Correa's presence adds another veteran leader to a team gearing up for a deep October run. While they couldn't swing the outcome today, having both infielders healthy and active is a massive boost for the club's championship aspirations. Their return lengthens the lineup and solidifies the defense, a crucial development post-trade deadline.
While Peña and Correa are back, the training room isn't quite empty. Isaac Paredes and his 19 home runs remain on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain, and there's no firm timetable for his return yet. Brendan Rodgers is also sidelined indefinitely while recovering from an oblique strain and concussion. On the pitching side, there's positive news. Spencer Arrighetti is slated for one final rehab start in Triple-A and could rejoin the big-league club for the upcoming Marlins series. Even better, Cristian Javier is making strides in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. He tossed 2 2/3 innings for Sugar Land on July 30 and is on track for a potential return to the Astros' rotation sometime in August, which would be a monumental lift for the pitching staff.
Losing a walk-off always stings, especially when your starter pitches a gem like Valdez did. But let's keep things in perspective: the Astros are still 62-48 and leading the AL West. More importantly, the team is getting healthier at the perfect time. With Peña and Correa back in the fold and Javier and Arrighetti on the horizon, this team is built for the long haul. They'll look to shake this one off and even the series tomorrow. One tough loss doesn't derail the mission.
