Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve hits a three-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros’ Jeremy Peña celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan cannot catch a fly ball hit by Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians right fielder Kahlil Watson catches a fly ball hit by Houston Astros’ Christian Walker during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros catcher Yanier Diaz fist-bumps pitcher Tatsuya Imai during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai walks back onto the mound during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio throws to first base for an out during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians third baseman Gabriel Arias fields a ground ball during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros’ Jeremy Peña is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians’ Rhys Hoskins celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai walks off the mound after giving up a two-run home run to Cleveland Guardians’ Rhys Hoskins during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians’ Rhys Hoskins hits a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians’ Brayan Rocchio celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians’ Brayan Rocchio hits an RBI double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians pitcher Tanner Bibee delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai motions to his catcher after a strikout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve dives but misses a base hit by Cleveland Guardians’ Brayan Rocchio during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)wld
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai pauses on the mound during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve smiles at a young fan before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros manager Joe Espada looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown talks with manager Joe Espada before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown talks with hitting coach Victor Rodríguez before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros third base coach Tony Perezchica prepares to hit infield practice before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve smiles before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña warms up before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams warms up before a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros bench coach Omar López talks with manager Joe Espada before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros throws to live batters before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros throws to live batters before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros throws to live batters before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros throws to live batters as pitching coach Joshua Miller looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros bench coach Omar López talks with manager Joe Espada before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros bench coach Omar López talks with manager Joe Espada before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Houston Astros’ Jeremy Peña, right, celebrates with Christian Walker (8) after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)
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Jose Altuve swung through a fastball for strike three, stranding two runners in Friday’s first inning, and spiked his helmet to the dirt, an atypical display of emotion by the Houston Astros second baseman.
Five innings later, another swing from Altuve elicited an outburst of a different nature inside Daikin Park.
Altuve delivered a go-ahead, three-run home run that erased an Astros deficit and propelled them to a series-opening 9-3 win against the Cleveland Guardians. With it, the Astros clawed within five games of .500 at 36-41, the closest they have been to even ground since April 17.
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Despite a bounce-back outing from Tatsuya Imai, who allowed three runs and struck out 11 across six innings, the Astros entered the bottom of the sixth trailing 3-2. Guardians starter Tanner Bibee issued Yordan Alvarez a leadoff walk. Isaac Paredes singled with one out.
POSITIVE STEP: Lance McCullers Jr. faces live hitters
Cleveland called on right-hander Matt Festa to face Altuve. Catcher Patrick Bailey set up for a first-pitch fastball up and away. Festa’s four-seamer ran down and in. Altuve lined it 349 feet, just over the wall in left field, to forge a one-run lead that Houston padded late.
Altuve has three home runs in his last five games. Jeremy Peña struck two solo homers, one off Bibee and another in the seventh inning against Daniel Espino, along with an RBI single in the eighth. Altuve added an RBI double in the seventh. The pair combined for five hits and seven RBIs.
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Imai navigated six hits in a quality start against a Guardians lineup missing its best player in José Ramírez, who is sidelined by a hamate fracture, but that started seven left-handed or switch-hitters. Lefties owned an .831 OPS against Imai entering the day. Righties had a .586 OPS against him.
After failing to complete one inning in his previous outing in Kansas City, Imai pared his ERA to 6.15 over 10 starts with Houston. Left-hander Steven Okert followed him with two scoreless innings, retiring all six hitters he faced. Okert has a 2.55 ERA in a team-leading 35 appearances.
With a six-run lead, the Astros used Mike Burrows — moved to the bullpen for this series, at least — in the ninth inning. Burrows, who leads them in starts and entered Friday with a 5.86 ERA, worked around a two-out double in a scoreless inning. Houston pitchers totaled 15 strikeouts and no walks in the win.
Season-high in strikeouts
The 11 strikeouts Imai recorded were most by an Astros pitcher in a game this season. All but one were swinging. Imai finished eight strikeouts with his slider, per Statcast, and three with his four-seamer.
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Imai induced 17 whiffs on 29 swings against the slider. He generated 20 whiffs on 45 swings overall. It is tied for the second-most whiffs induced by an Astros pitcher this season. Peter Lambert had 23 whiffs in his April 17 start against the Cardinals. Spencer Arrighetti had the previous season-high in strikeouts for Houston with 10, which he set April 15 in his season debut against the Rockies.
Imai generated a 39% chase rate, per Statcast. He threw 57 of 89 pitches for strikes and did not walk a batter. The latter was notable for a pitcher who issued 24 walks in his first 35 innings this season. This marked the most strikeouts for an Astros pitcher without a walk since countryman Yusei Kikuchi struck out 12 batters without a walk on Aug. 31, 2024.
Third-inning hiccup
Cleveland’s only damage against Imai came in the third inning. Travis Bazzana lofted a fastball off the left-field wall for a leadoff double. With one out, Brayan Rocchio pulled a slider into the right-field corner for a run-scoring double.
Rhys Hoskins, who had seen four sliders in a first-inning strikeout, appeared to sit on the pitch. Hoskins took two fastballs, one for a strike, before Imai threw a slider just below the zone. Hoskins dipped down into a swing and drove the pitch over the Crawford Boxes for a two-run home run.
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It was the sixth home run allowed by Imai this season, four of which are against the slider. Right-handed hitters were 6-for-28 with one home run against Imai’s slider entering the day. Imai retired 11 hitters in a row after Hoskins’ homer.
Pair of homers for Peña
Peña recorded his first multi-home run game of the season and the third of his career. His most recent occurred May 31 of last season, when he homered twice against the Rays’ Zack Littell. Peña also had a two-homer game in his rookie season against the Angels.
After totaling three home runs in his first 37 games this season, Peña has three over his last two games. Following a 2-for-22 stretch that spanned the club’s road trip to Anaheim and Kansas City, Peña is 7-for-18 with four extra-base hits on this homestand.
Challenge accepted
The Astros have been active users of the ABS challenge system in the first half. Entering Friday, they had logged the fifth-most challenges as hitters and the 12th-most challenges as the hitting team.
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With Patrick Bailey, a catcher known for pitch-framing, behind the plate Friday, Astros hitters challenged often in the early innings. Their hitters challenged four calls — three successfully. Peña challenged Bibee’s first pitch of the game and got it overturned. Christian Walker lost a challenge later in the inning.
Paredes and Altuve also successfully challenged called strikes. Paredes is 7-for-7 on challenges this season. Altuve is 11-for-16 on his attempts.
Yainer Diaz, behind the plate, unsuccessfully challenged a called ball in the fifth inning. That left Houston out of challenges for the rest of the game. Diaz, recently returned from the injured list, is 16-for-27 in his challenge attempts on defense this season.