MILWAUKEE (AP) — In a decisive showdown on May 7, 2025, the Houston Astros halted their recent struggles by overpowering the Milwaukee Brewers with a commanding 9-1 victory. This win marked just the Astros' second triumph in their last seven games, effectively snapping Milwaukee's three-game winning streak and leaving both teams with .500 records at 19-19.
The Brewers, who were eager to sweep a series against the Astros for the first time since 2012, found themselves thwarted by a combination of defensive lapses and a stellar performance from Astros pitcher Framber Valdez.
Valdez, who made his eighth start of the season, delivered a masterclass on the mound, pitching seven strong innings, striking out seven batters while allowing only three hits and one run. His performance was crucial in earning him his first win since the season opener on March 27, 2025. Valdez threw a season-high 101 pitches, demonstrating both endurance and skill.
The Astros drew first blood in the second inning. Jake Meyers initiated the scoring with a two-out single, followed by Zach Dezenzo's double that brought him home, putting Houston ahead 1-0. The Astros extended their lead in the fifth inning when Dezenzo crossed the plate again, this time on a fielder’s choice groundout by Jeremy Peña, who would later become the star of the game.
Peña, who drove in four runs, broke the game wide open in the sixth inning. With two outs and a 3-1 lead, he launched a three-run homer off reliever Elvin Rodriguez, effectively sealing the fate of the Brewers with a score of 6-1. The ball traveled 379 feet, showcasing Peña’s power and timing at the plate.
Milwaukee managed to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a solo home run from Eric Haase. The blast, which soared 425 feet into center field, was the Brewers' lone highlight in an otherwise dismal outing. Haase's home run came after a shaky defensive inning that saw the Astros capitalize on multiple errors from the Brewers.
Despite the lone run, the Brewers' offense struggled significantly throughout the game. Quinn Priester, who took the mound for Milwaukee, pitched reasonably well, allowing only one earned run in five innings, but he had to contend with a lackluster defense that committed several key errors. Priester ended the game with three strikeouts and three walks.
Manager Pat Murphy expressed disappointment in his team's defensive performance. "We didn’t help him at all," Murphy said, referring to Priester's outing. "The leadoff walk thing, that can’t happen but it did. After the leadoff walk, there’s an easy play that an inexperienced player doesn’t make that could be a double play. We didn’t make the tag at the plate when it was an easy out, and then there’s a passed ball. Those are things that can’t happen in a game like this."
The Astros continued to pile on the runs in the ninth inning, with Isaac Paredes bringing Peña home with a single, followed by a double from Yainer Diaz that scored both Paredes and Jose Altuve. This pushed the score to 9-1, solidifying Houston's dominance in the game.
On the other side, the Brewers faced a grim statistic: they have now lost all 13 games this season when their opponent scores first. This trend has raised concerns about their ability to mount comebacks, a stark contrast to their performance last season when they were among the league leaders in comeback wins.
"I didn’t know that, to be honest," Priester remarked about the team's struggles when trailing. "My mentality is if we’re within one, we’re one swing away from being in the game." Unfortunately for the Brewers, that mentality did not translate into execution on the field.
As the game concluded, former Brewers closer Josh Hader made his first appearance in Milwaukee since being traded in 2022, pitching the ninth inning. Hader faced some challenges, loading the bases but ultimately managing to secure the final outs and prevent any further runs for the Brewers.
Looking ahead, the Astros will host the Cincinnati Reds on May 9, 2025, with Hunter Brown expected to take the mound. The Reds will be looking to capitalize on the Astros' recent victory, while the Brewers will face the Tampa Bay Rays, with José Quintana set to start for Milwaukee.
In summary, the Astros' emphatic win over the Brewers not only showcased their offensive capabilities but also highlighted the defensive struggles of Milwaukee. As both teams prepare for their upcoming matches, the Astros aim to build on this momentum while the Brewers seek to correct their course after a disappointing loss.
