{"id":908111,"date":"2026-09-28T03:32:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T03:32:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/908111\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T03:32:32","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T03:32:32","slug":"houston-astros-win-al-west-title-on-final-day-and-return-to-postseason","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/908111\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Astros win AL West title on final day and return to postseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.\u00a0\u2014 They dug themselves a hole, deployed a flawed roster and dismissed their general manager in the middle of a playoff race. Being in first place and below .500 at the time distilled the essence of this bizarre season.<\/p>\n

It laid bare that the Houston Astros<\/a>, with an aging core and suspect depth, are no longer the dominant force of years past. Their season resembled a six-month ordeal. Self-belief that bordered on obstinacy still proved sound, with American League dysfunction serving as a saving grace.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The Astros are returning to the playoffs, a year after their streak of eight straight appearances ended, to attempt another run at October glory. It will mark their 10th postseason appearance in the last 12 years; only the Los Angeles Dodgers have more in Major League Baseball in that span.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal at the beginning of the year is to get to the postseason,\u201d shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a said, glasses shielding his eyes from bubbly spray in the visitors\u2019 batting cage at Sutter Health Park. \u201cFor us, it came down to the last game of the season. It was a tough year\u00a0\u2014 a lot of ups, a lot of downs, a lot of injuries. But we made it through. And that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Astros won the American League West on the season\u2019s final day. A loss by the Rangers<\/a>, with whom they entered Sunday tied atop the division, made it official while the Astros were finalizing a 9-0 rout of the A\u2019s. A record of 81-81 produced their eighth AL West title in the past 10 seasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, we got to our goal, right?\u201d said ace Hunter Brown. \u201cYou want to make the postseason, you want a chance to win the World Series. And we got that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dubious history belongs to Houston. The Astros are MLB\u2019s first division champion\u00a0\u2014 and first postseason qualifier\u00a0\u2014 to finish with a non-winning record in a full-length season. They logged their fewest wins in a full season since 2014, the final year of a rebuild, when they incurred 92 losses.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

They are, still, a playoff team. They will host an AL wild-card round series against the Chicago White Sox, with Game 1 on Tuesday at Daikin Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a team that\u2019s been there before, and that matters,\u201d manager Joe Espada said. \u201cWe\u2019re going to be in front of our home crowd \u2026 It\u2019s been a roller coaster season. But just to be here and know the division is back in Houston, the crown is back in Houston, is a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, right, presents Yordan Alvarez with a championship belt after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez smokes a cigar after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada slide in for a team photo after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Jeremy Pe\u00f1a celebrates with Cam Smith after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Jeremy Pe\u00f1a celebrates with Cam Smith after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert, right, celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Cam Smith, right, and Taylor Trammell celebrate after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Cam Smith, right, and Taylor Trammell celebrate after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros fans cheer after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) cheers toward fans after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez smokes a cigar after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"The<\/p>\n

The Houston Astros gather for a team photo after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n

The formula was far from elegant. The Astros posted a negative-32 run differential in a division in which no club had a positive one. They compiled the majors\u2019 seventh-highest team ERA, employed one of the sport\u2019s least productive outfields and used a franchise-record 19 different starting pitchers. They formed a top-heavy offense, albeit one that led the majors in home runs.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

But buoyed by a slugging MVP candidate, a sparkplug shortstop, a stalwart bullpen and a starter signed to a minor-league deal\u00a0\u2014 and under the direction of a manager not under contract beyond this season\u00a0\u2014 the Astros met the mandate put forth by their owner in late August.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cThe expectation that I have is that we\u2019re in the playoffs every year,\u201d team owner Jim Crane said\u00a0Aug. 25<\/a>, a day after he dismissed general manager Dana Brown<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s hard to win every year, but you\u2019ve got to get to the playoffs.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the second time in three years<\/a>, it required the Astros to overcome a brutal start. They sat 11 games under .500 on May 21, scuttled by injuries and a pitching staff that owned baseball\u2019s worst ERA at that point. They are the seventh MLB team since at least 1900 to start 20-31 and reach the postseason, and the first since the 2019 Nationals, who defeated Houston in the World Series.<\/p>\n

Hunter Brown made two starts before a shoulder strain sidelined him for 2 \u00bd months<\/a>. Cristian Javier, the highest-paid pitcher on the roster, missed three months with the same injury. Josh Hader, the Astros\u2019 $95 million closer, missed the first two months<\/a> recovering from biceps tendinitis.<\/p>\n

In the lineup, Pe\u00f1a played in 10 games before losing five weeks to a hamstring injury. Carlos Correa, the Astros\u2019 third baseman and de facto captain, tore a left ankle tendon May 5\u00a0\u2014 surgery ultimately ended his season<\/a>. Still, the club managed a midsummer upswing.<\/p>\n

Houston
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n

Totals
\n37
\n9
\n12
\n8
\n8
\n9<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1a ss
\n5
\n1
\n2
\n1
\n0
\n2
\n.277<\/p>\n

Alvarez dh
\n4
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n.316<\/p>\n

e-Wade ph-dh
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.205<\/p>\n

Paredes 3b
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.262<\/p>\n

Allen 3b
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.283<\/p>\n

Altuve 2b
\n5
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n.250<\/p>\n

1-Delgado pr-2b
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.243<\/p>\n

Diaz c
\n5
\n1
\n2
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n.285<\/p>\n

Walker 1b
\n3
\n3
\n2
\n1
\n2
\n0
\n.226<\/p>\n

Spence cf
\n2
\n1
\n1
\n2
\n3
\n0
\n.218<\/p>\n

Smith rf
\n4
\n1
\n2
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n.210<\/p>\n

Trammell lf
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n3
\n.192<\/p>\n

d-Barrosa ph-lf
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.193<\/p>\n

Athletics
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n

Totals
\n32
\n0
\n5
\n0
\n3
\n7<\/p>\n

Bolte cf-lf
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.277<\/p>\n

Butler rf
\n4
\n0
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.237<\/p>\n

Langeliers dh
\n2
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.262<\/p>\n

c-Stefanic ph-dh
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.346<\/p>\n

Gelof 3b
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n.256<\/p>\n

McNeil 1b-2b
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.264<\/p>\n

Walton 2b
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.261<\/p>\n

a-White ph-1b
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.254<\/p>\n

Kuroda-Grauer ss
\n4
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.366<\/p>\n

Cortes lf
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.251<\/p>\n

b-Clarke ph-cf
\n2
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.158<\/p>\n

Serven c
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.175<\/p>\n

Houston
\n004
\n002
\n210_9
\n12
\n0<\/p>\n

Athletics
\n000
\n000
\n000_0
\n5
\n0<\/p>\n

a-struck out for Walton in the 7th. b-singled for Cortes in the 7th. c-walked for Langeliers in the 8th. d-popped out for Trammell in the 9th. e-grounded out for Alvarez in the 9th.<\/p>\n

1-ran for Altuve in the 8th.<\/p>\n

LOB_Houston 11, Athletics 8. 2B_Diaz (16), Allen (7). 3B_Spence (1). HR_Walker (29), off Blewett. RBIs_Altuve (50), Diaz (45), Spence 2 (12), Walker (87), Alvarez (106), Smith (56), Pe\u00f1a (56). SF_Pe\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

Runners left in scoring position_Houston 8 (Altuve 2, Trammell 2, Smith 2, Alvarez 2); Athletics 3 (McNeil, Bolte 2). RISP_Houston 5 for 13; Athletics 0 for 3.<\/p>\n

Runners moved up_Paredes, Altuve, Diaz. GIDP_Diaz.<\/p>\n

DP_ 1 (Kuroda-Grauer, McNeil, White).<\/p>\n

IP<\/p>\n

H
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n41
\n3.82<\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n34
\n3.93<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n18
\n2.16<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

2
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n2
\n23
\n5.19<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n16
\n1.42<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n10
\n4.93<\/p>\n

IP<\/p>\n

H
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

1
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n2
\n36
\n5.88<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

3
\n4
\n4
\n1
\n1
\n19
\n6.07<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n21
\n3.90<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

2
\n2
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n22
\n3.13<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

3
\n2
\n2
\n4
\n2
\n48
\n6.57<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

3
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n27
\n4.82<\/p>\n

1<\/p>\n

0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n13
\n5.60<\/p>\n

Inherited runners-scored_Basso 3-0, Alvarado 1-0, Roycroft 1-1, Hartlieb 3-1. IBB_off Basso (Walker). HBP_Basso (Alvarez).<\/p>\n

ABS Challenge_Altuve (Strike-Confirmed); Roycroft (Ball-Confirmed); King (Ball-Confirmed); Rom (Ball-Overturned to Strike).<\/p>\n

Pitch timer violations_Basso (pitcher).<\/p>\n

Umpires_Home, Ryan Additon; First, Will Little; Second, Ryan Wills; Third, Gabe Morales.<\/p>\n

T_3:03. A_10,022 (14,014).<\/p>\n

From May 22 through Aug. 2, only the Brewers won more games than Houston. Pe\u00f1a and Yordan Alvarez fueled an offense far too reliant on them and Isaac Paredes. Peter Lambert, an unheralded minor-league signing called up from Triple-A in mid-April, provided stability to the rotation<\/a>. Hader\u2019s return reinforced a stalwart bullpen, in which Steven Okert and rookie AJ Blubaugh emerged as key pieces.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it speaks of the character in this clubhouse,\u201d Lambert said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of guys in here that have been there and done that, and I think just the way they went about their business, for guys like myself it was easy to follow behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alvarez, the Astros\u2019 only All-Star, authored the eighth 40-homer season in team history and a legitimate bid for a Triple Crown<\/a>. He settled for a batting title<\/a>. He could join Jeff Bagwell and Jose Altuve as players to win Most Valuable Player with the franchise. For months, the slugger anchored a top-heavy offense\u00a0\u2014 one that started to crater in August, threatening the club\u2019s playoff aspirations.<\/p>\n

Only four teams began Sunday with fewer runs scored since\u00a0Aug. 1. Altuve, the face of the franchise, authored his least productive 162-game season in over a decade. Christian Walker, the $20 million first baseman, fluctuated offensively after May. No hitter who logged at least 30 games in their outfield had an OPS-plus at or above MLB average, including Daulton Varsho<\/a>, the Astros\u2019 lone deadline acquisition.<\/p>\n

A disastrous homestand<\/a> against division teams preceded Dana Brown\u2019s dismissal Aug. 24, during his fourth season as GM. How the Astros will treat that role will be a primary question this offseason. After that move, the Astros won four of their next five series, a response that furthered their playoff push.<\/p>\n

On Sept. 11, the Astros owned a three-game lead in the AL West. Ensuing sweeps by the Rays<\/a> and Braves<\/a> erased that lead and cast into doubt their status as contenders. Uncertainty lasted until the final game of the season. A winning final road trip to Seattle and West Sacramento dispelled it.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

\u201cI think about early May, right, when we were in a tough spot,\u201d Espada said. \u201cAny other team would have folded, but these guys chose not to, man. It\u2019s about the character of this team. They just don\u2019t quit.\u201d<\/p>\n

The outcome defies myriad issues. Houston\u2019s front office acquired six pitchers on major-league deals last winter. They compiled a 5.52 ERA for the Astros this season. Three were designated for assignment. Marquee free agent Tatsuya Imai lost his rotation spot<\/a>. So did trade addition Mike Burrows.<\/p>\n

Two starters threw more than 100 innings: Hunter Brown and Lambert. Hayden Wesneski<\/a>, who returned in July from elbow surgery, offered a boost down the stretch. Espada maneuvered a bullpen that logged the sixth-most innings in the majors yet compiled the eighth-lowest ERA from June 1 on.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe was great for us all year,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cHe kept us level-headed. We had a lot of things that didn\u2019t go the way we wanted from the jump. But I feel like Joe, as the head of the group, as the leader, he kept everyone cool, calm and collected. And we got into the postseason.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) reacts in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Miguel Ullola (66) reacts after striking out Athletics Zack Gelof (20) to end the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Miguel Ullola (66) reacts after striking out Athletics Zack Gelof (20) to end the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Miguel Ullola (66) delivers during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (44) gets high-fives in the dugout after scoring on Yainer Diaz\u2019s double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Christian Walker, right, celebrates with Lucas Spence (28) after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) drops his bat after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Ethan Pecko (70) delivers during the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) reacts after hitting a 2-RBI triple during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) reacts after hitting a 2-RBI triple during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Lucas Spence (28) hits a 2-RBI triple during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits an RBI double during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) scores on Jose Altuve\u2019s sac-RBI during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) hits a sac-RBI during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz, right, gets between Taylor Trammell and umpire Ryan Additon after Trammell was called out on strikes to end the top of the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Taylor Trammell turns toward umpire Ryan Additon after Trammell was called out on strikes to end the top of the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Cam Smith (11) draws a walk during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Athletics<\/p>\n

Athletics catcher Brian Serven (10) fields ground ball by Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) reacts after hitting a single during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits a single during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) hits a single during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert (38) reacts after getting Athletics Jeff McNeil to end the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert (38) reacts after getting Athletics Jeff McNeil to end the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) tries to get to a single by Athletics Lawrence Butler during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert (38) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Jason Fochtman\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n

Fittingly, Lambert drew the start in game 162. Pitching on two days\u2019 rest, after throwing 62 pitches Thursday, the right-hander gave Houston two scoreless innings. He logged nearly 50 more innings this season than any other Astros pitcher. Their lineup struck for four runs in the third inning, capped by a two-run triple from center fielder Lucas Spence, playing in his 19th major-league game.<\/p>\n

Thursday, Spence had become the third player to hit his first three MLB home runs in the same game<\/a>. Saviors can arise from anywhere in a playoff race. Ethan Pecko, in his eighth major-league appearance, followed Lambert with three scoreless innings. Miguel Ullola, in his 11th, added a scoreless frame. The Astros led 8-0 when Texas\u2019 loss went final, securing their spot in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is probably the coolest thing I\u2019ve ever been a part of,\u201d said Pecko, a 2023 draft pick who debuted in August<\/a>, \u201cand hope to keep it going.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Rangers\u2019 loss finalized, reaction in the Astros\u2019 dugout was muted. So was their response as Imai recorded the last out against the A\u2019s, whose Triple-A clubhouse made for a unique celebration. Players and staff spilled into the adjacent batting cage, where Espada delivered a speech, bottles sprayed and the Astros let loose before boarding for home and the task ahead.<\/p>\n

The road there resembled none of those before it. But once again, the Astros are postseason-bound.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think this team can do some special things,\u201d Walker said. \u201cWe\u2019re feeling good, momentum\u2019s high, and I think that\u2019s what the postseason\u2019s about. You get hot at the right time and anything\u2019s possible.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Houston Astros manager Joe Espada celebrates after defeating the Athletics 9-0 to win the American League West during…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":908112,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[558],"tags":[64,63,591,85],"class_list":["post-908111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=908111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908111\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/908112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=908111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=908111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=908111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}