Nelson Velázquez did it again. That guy broke a scoreless tie with a two-run single in the eighth inning on Wednesday, marking his second go-ahead hit in three games against the White Sox. His swing delivered the only runs in a nail-biting 2-0 win for the Astros, a victory that secured the season series and stretched their crucial AL West lead back to two games over the Rangers, who took a loss themselves.
When the Offense Finally Woke Up: That 8th Inning Rally
Look, the Astros’ offense was sputtering big time for most of this game, but man, they delivered when it counted. A scoreless tie stretched all the way into the eighth inning. Then, Yordan Alvarez scorched a grounder that glanced off White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth’s glove. Manager Joe Espada pulled Alvarez for pinch-runner Nick Allen, because when you’re in a September division race, you gotta be aggressive. Isaac Paredes then drew a walk from left-hander Sean Newcomb, and Jose Altuve got clipped by a slurve, loading the bases with just one out. Newcomb got Daulton Varsho to hit a comebacker, and the White Sox got the out at home. That brought up Velázquez, the right-handed hitter Houston added specifically to crush lefties. White Sox manager Will Venable left Newcomb in to face him, and Velázquez made him pay, lining a 1-1 slurve right into center field for the two-run single. That was it. That was the whole ballgame.
Pitching Kept This Game Alive, Big Time
Seriously, where would this team be without their arms? Three pitchers combined for their ninth shutout of the season! Hayden Wesneski, AJ Blubaugh, and Josh Hader teamed up to allow just three hits all night. Wesneski was absolutely dialed in, giving Houston seven scoreless innings, incredibly efficient for game nine of a 13-game stretch with no off-days. The White Sox’s Davis Martin was good too, working 5 ⅔ scoreless innings and watching Houston squander a prime scoring chance against him in the fourth. Houston went a terrible 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position through five innings, not even getting another shot until the eighth. But the real high-wire act? Blubaugh preserving that 0-0 tie in the eighth, after Tristan Peters led off with a triple and Drew Romo walked. Peters tried to break for home on a Sam Antonacci grounder, but shortstop Jeremy Peña threw him out. Still, trouble: Munetaka Murakami singled, but Romo, the catcher, got a late break and was held at third. Bases loaded! Then, Blubaugh got Miguel Vargas to hit into an inning-ending double play. You know he pumped a fist after that one.
So, here we are. The Astros are 71-69 with 22 games left in the regular season. Velázquez’s clutch hitting just pushed their AL West lead to two games. What’s next for this team in this grinding division fight? Can he keep delivering? We’re all watching to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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