Zack Short's walk-off hit gives the Astros a 5-4 win over the Rangers on July 13, 2025. Framber Valdez dominated, but a blown save sent it to extras.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when we needed it most, the Astros delivered a jolt of pure baseball adrenaline. In a tense, back-and-forth battle that stretched into the 11th inning, Zack Short played the hero, lacing a single to score Cam Smith and seal a massive 5-4 walk-off victory over the Rangers at Daikin Park. The four-game losing streak is dead. The lead in the AL West is secure. And the vibes? They're officially back.
Framber Valdez was simply electric: 6 innings, 4 hits, 0 earned runs, and 10 strikeouts with 0 walks.
Saturday night's win was a classic team effort, starting with a masterful performance from Framber Valdez. The lefty was unhittable, fanning 10 Rangers over six brilliant innings while allowing only a single unearned run. The offense backed him up with the long ball, as Jose Altuve (his 17th), Yainer Diaz (14th), and Mauricio Dubón (6th) all went deep to build a lead. But the drama was far from over. In a stunning twist, superstar closer Josh Hader suffered his first blown save of the year after 25 straight conversions, sending the game to extras. But this team didn't flinch. In the bottom of the 11th, Zack Short stepped up and delivered the biggest hit of the night, bringing the 39,696 fans to their feet and ending the skid.
A win like this, with a player like Cam Smith scoring the winning run, is a perfect reminder of how the Astros machine keeps running. Despite perpetually low farm system rankings, the front office continues to find and develop talent that contributes at the big league level. It's not about having the flashiest top-5 prospects; it's about maximizing guys like Caden Powell, Chase Jaworsky, and Will Bush. The organization's focus on toolsy athletes and power hitters, often found in later rounds, provides the depth necessary to withstand injuries and slumps. It's this player development pipeline that allows the Astros to remain perennial contenders.
The celebration was sweet, but the job isn't done. The Astros (56-39) have a chance to win the series and head into the All-Star break on a massive high. Today's finale is a heavyweight pitching matchup, with Houston's Hunter Brown (9-3, 2.21 ERA) facing off against Texas's Nathan Eovaldi (6-3, 1.62 ERA). With the Mariners still six games back, a victory would be a huge statement and provide some comfortable breathing room during the midsummer classic. First pitch is at 2:10 PM at Daikin Park, where the 'Stros boast an impressive 33-18 record.
Last night's walk-off was more than just one win; it was a reminder of this team's resilience. Now, all eyes turn to Hunter Brown and the series finale. A win today sends the team into the All-Star break with all the momentum in the world, proving once again that even after a tough stretch, you can never count out the Houston Astros.
