Victor Caratini's grand slam powered the Astros to a 6-5 win over the Rockies on July 2. Josh Hader set a club save record in the tight victory. Read how.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In the thin air of Coors Field, it was a backup catcher who delivered the knockout blow. Victor Caratini launched a third-inning grand slam, providing all the offense Houston would need to hang on for a gritty 6-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night. The win marks the Astros' seventh in their last eight games, proving yet again that this team's 'next man up' mentality is more than just a cliché—it's a winning formula.
24 for 24. Josh Hader hasn't just been good, he's been perfect, setting a new club record for consecutive saves to start a season.
The game's defining moment came in the top of the third. With the bases loaded, Victor Caratini turned on a 79.7 mph curveball from Rockies starter Chase Dollander and sent it soaring 413 feet into the seats. The 102.6 mph blast, his third career grand slam, staked the Astros to a 6-1 lead. While the Rockies chipped away, the lead held up thanks to stellar bullpen work. Bennett Sousa picked up the win, Bryan Abreu was electric with a three-strikeout eighth, and Josh Hader locked down his record-setting 24th save. Christian Walker also stayed hot, adding a 3-for-4 day with an RBI. The only thing that didn't go right was Jose Altuve's 0-for-4 night, leaving him one hit shy of tying Jeff Bagwell on the franchise's all-time list.
The win was bittersweet, coming on the same day the team officially placed shortstop Jeremy Peña on the 10-day IL with a rib fracture. Peña had been enjoying a superstar-level season, and his absence will be felt. In a corresponding move, the long-awaited return of Lance McCullers Jr. became official as he was reinstated to the active roster. The good news is that more help is on the horizon. Pitchers Luis Garcia, Spencer Arrighetti, and Cristian Javier are all eyeing July returns, with each making significant progress in their throwing programs. The cavalry is coming, and it's loaded with arms.
As we cross the halfway point of the 2025 season, the Astros' performance has earned them a solid A- grade, a remarkable achievement given the circumstances. They've built a comfortable AL West lead without a fully-firing Yordan Álvarez and with Jose Altuve in a relative slump. How? Through depth and dominance. The rotation has been anchored by the formidable duo of Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, while the back end of the bullpen, featuring Bryan Abreu and the flawless Josh Hader, has been arguably the best in baseball. It's a testament to the organization's depth and the team's resilient culture.
Looking ahead, all eyes remain on Jose Altuve as he stands on the precipice of history, just one hit away from tying a franchise legend. With the team firing on all cylinders and a wave of key players set to return from injury, the Astros aren't just surviving—they're thriving. This hot streak feels less like a temporary surge and more like a sign of a team rounding into championship form at the perfect time.
