HOUSTON -- Rookie Cam Smith delivered a stunning performance on Friday night, homering twice and driving in four runs to propel the Houston Astros to a 6-4 victory over the San Diego Padres at Daikin Park. This win marks a significant moment for Smith, who is quickly making a name for himself in the major leagues.
Smith's first home run came in the second inning, where he connected on a three-run shot off Padres pitcher Kyle Hart (2-1), sending the ball a Statcast-projected 403 feet into the left field stands. This blast not only put the Astros ahead 3-1 but also showcased Smith's developing power, a quality that Astros manager Joe Espada has been eager to see more of.
“Confidence-builder,” Espada said, reflecting on Smith's impressive swings. “Two big swings. That was great to see, and also pulling the ball and getting his hands inside.” Smith’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he became the first Astros player to hit two home runs in a game this season and the youngest since Yordan Alvarez in August 2019.
In the fourth inning, Smith struck again, this time poking a sweeper into the Crawford Boxes for a solo homer, extending the Astros' lead to 5-2. The crowd of 41,431 erupted with excitement, and Smith expressed his appreciation for the electric atmosphere. “The crowd tonight was electric,” he said. “I loved it all game.”
Despite Smith's heroics, the game was competitive throughout. San Diego's Luis Arraez, who had three hits, narrowed the gap with a two-run homer in the seventh inning, making it a 5-4 game. The Padres struggled with runners in scoring position, finishing the night 2 for 10 in that category, which proved costly against a resilient Astros team.
Jake Meyers also contributed significantly to the Astros’ offense, tying a season high with three hits, including a crucial run-scoring single in the eighth that provided some insurance. This performance came at a time when the Astros needed it most, having faced challenges earlier in the season.
Astros starter Ryan Gusto (2-1) pitched five innings, allowing nine hits and two runs. While he didn’t overpower the Padres, he effectively managed to limit the damage, which is no small feat against one of the league's top offenses. Gusto's ability to navigate through the lineup without yielding more runs was critical to the Astros' success.
“He threw the ball well enough,” Espada noted about Gusto’s performance. “Holding San Diego to only two earned runs on 68 pitches is a result you take every time.”
After Gusto, Steven Okert took the mound in the sixth inning, continuing to impress with a 0.90 ERA in his first ten innings of the season. However, Bryan King struggled, allowing Arraez’s home run that cut the lead to just one run. Fortunately, Josh Hader came in to shut the door, pitching a perfect ninth inning for his fifth save of the season, helping the Astros secure the win.
This victory is especially meaningful for the Astros, as they faced a Padres team that entered the game with a remarkable 15-4 record. The win not only boosts the Astros' confidence but also highlights the potential of their rookie players, particularly Smith, who is beginning to find his rhythm after a slow start to the season.
Smith had struggled earlier, going 1 for 10 in a recent series against St. Louis, but this breakout game could signal a turning point for the young player. “Honestly, I feel like me again,” Smith said, reflecting on his performance. “There was a lot to learn in the first 19 games. But it’s a good feeling to produce for the guys.”
As the series continues, the Astros will look to build on this momentum. Tomorrow, Houston will send RHP Hayden Wesneski (1-1, 4.00 ERA) to the mound against RHP Michael King (3-0, 2.42) of the Padres. The Astros will aim to capitalize on their recent success and continue their ascent in the standings.
With Smith emerging as a key player and the Astros' offense showing signs of life, fans have plenty to be excited about as the season progresses.
