HOUSTON — Christian Walker delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday night, propelling the Houston Astros to a decisive 10-2 triumph over the Chicago White Sox. Walker not only smashed a home run but also amassed three hits and a season-best four RBIs, making him the standout player of the evening.
Jose Altuve further solidified his esteemed career by recording two hits, pushing his career total to an impressive 2,300. This achievement places him alongside the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman as the only currently active players in Major League Baseball with at least 2,300 hits.
The Astros kicked off their scoring in the first inning with Altuve’s RBI double. With two outs looming, Walker stepped up and hit a home run that sailed over the left-field fence, courtesy of White Sox pitcher Sean Burke, boosting Houston’s lead to 3-0.
Astros’ starter Ryan Gusto navigated through six innings, allowing seven hits and two runs while notching a personal best of seven strikeouts. His solid outing contributed significantly to ensuring Chicago’s road woes continued, as the White Sox dropped to a 7-27 away record.
In the third inning, Altuve hit a single with two outs, followed by Yainer Diaz drawing a walk. Walker then came through again with a thunderous line-drive double to center field, bringing in both base runners and extending the Astros’ lead to 5-0.
The fourth inning saw more fireworks from the Astros. Cam Smith hit a ground-rule double with one out, and Jeremy Peña added to the score with a double that ricocheted off the left field wall, making it 6-0. Right after, Isaac Paredes contributed with another RBI double, which marked the end of Burke’s night on the mound, as he left after conceding eight hits and seven runs in just 3 2/3 innings.
Chicago’s Josh Rojas singled in the fifth inning, advancing to third courtesy of a ground-rule double from Vinny Capra. Rojas managed to score on Mike Tauchman’s groundout, cutting the deficit to 7-1, followed by Miguel Vargas’s RBI single, which narrowed the gap to 7-2.
Isaac Paredes, who ended the match with three hits and two RBIs, played a crucial role in halting a two-game losing streak for the Astros.
Decisive Moment: Walker’s early home run set the tone, giving Houston a 3-0 advantage they never relinquished.
Noteworthy Stat: Walker’s four RBIs far exceeded his combined total of two RBIs from his previous six games.
Looking Ahead: The series will wrap up Thursday night with Houston’s left-hander Framber Valdez (6-4, 3.07 ERA) set to face the White Sox’s right-hander Davis Martin (2-6, 3.62 ERA).