Houston Astros’ Daulton Varsho loses his bat during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves shortstop Maricio Dubon greets fans as the Houston Astros honor him before a baseball game in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves shortstop Maricio Dubon greets fans as the Houston Astros honor him before a baseball game in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) prepares to bat during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros starting pitcher Peter Lambert throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tyler Mahle throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Tyler Mahle throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros left fielder LaMonte Wade Jr. catches a fly ball hit by Atlanta Braves designated hitter Drake Baldwin during the third inning of a baseball game in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II watches his home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Michael Harris II (23) returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Maricio Dubon, left, celebrates after a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Maricio Dubon (14) talks with Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) and second baseman Jose Altuve (27) during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) scores during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates in the dugout after scoring during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve singles during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve (27) is out at second base ahead of a throw to Atlanta Braves shortstop Maricio Dubon (14) during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Maricio Dubon reacts as he flies out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Fans reach to catch a foul ball hit by Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley breaks a bat as he lines out during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. hits a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
of a baseball game in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrates after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. tosses his bat after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros pitcher AJ Blubaugh leaves the mound during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr., right, celebrates with designated hitter Drake Baldwin after hitting a home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (12) and pitcher Didier Fuentes celebrate after the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) catches a fly ball hit by Atlanta Braves’ Sean Murphy during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Houston, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis/Associated Press
A lull gave way to life. Twelve straight Houston Astros hitters went to home plate and were turned away before LaMonte Wade Jr. flared a single to open Friday’s eighth inning. Two more failed to advance him before a four-pitch walk to Yordan Alvarez brought up the potential tying run.
Isaac Paredes breathed hope into a faltering lineup, his soft line drive finding grass and driving in Wade. Ronald Acuña Jr. extinguished it. Jose Altuve flared a flyball into shallow right field. On a full dive, Acuña caught it and curtailed the Astros’ final threat.
“Off the bat I thought that ball was going to fall,” said Astros manager Joe Espada. “But I wasn’t surprised when he came up with it. He’s so good over there, so fast, and he takes such good routes. When he came up with that, I wasn’t surprised. But off the bat, I thought we had a good chance of that ball falling.”
Article continues below this ad
Atlanta
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
39
6
11
6
2
10
Baldwin dh
4
2
2
0
1
1
.279
Acuña rf
5
1
1
2
0
1
.256
Olson 1b
5
2
3
2
0
0
.253
Harris cf
5
1
3
2
0
1
.293
Dubón ss
5
0
2
0
0
1
.273
Albies 2b
3
0
0
0
1
1
.244
Yastrzemski lf
4
0
0
0
0
2
.225
Riley 3b
4
0
0
0
0
3
.220
S.Murphy c
4
0
0
0
0
0
.183
Houston
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
32
2
5
2
2
12
Peña ss
4
0
0
0
0
2
.276
Alvarez dh
2
1
1
0
2
0
.312
Paredes 3b
4
0
2
2
0
1
.259
1-Allen pr-3b
0
0
0
0
0
0
.279
Altuve 2b
4
0
1
0
0
1
.243
Varsho cf
4
0
0
0
0
2
.222
Walker 1b
4
0
0
0
0
2
.220
Trammell rf
4
0
0
0
0
3
.202
Wade lf
3
1
1
0
0
0
.215
Vázquez c
2
0
0
0
0
0
.206
a-Diaz ph-c
1
0
0
0
0
1
.276
Atlanta
000
200
202_6
11
0
Houston
000
100
010_2
5
1
a-struck out for Vázquez in the 8th.
1-ran for Paredes in the 8th.
E_Peña (12). LOB_Atlanta 8, Houston 5. 2B_Dubón (27), Baldwin (19), Alvarez (32). HR_Harris (26), off Lambert; Acuña (19), off Blubaugh; Olson (40), off De Los Santos. RBIs_Harris 2 (85), Acuña 2 (51), Olson 2 (88), Paredes 2 (88).
Runners left in scoring position_Atlanta 4 (Yastrzemski, Albies, Riley 2); Houston 2 (Altuve, Trammell). RISP_Atlanta 1 for 8; Houston 2 for 6.
Runners moved up_Dubón.
Atlanta
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
Mahle, W, 7-10
6
3
1
1
1
6
98
3.81
Fuentes, H, 18
2
2
1
1
1
3
40
2.27
Iglesias
1
0
0
0
0
3
11
2.68
Houston
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
Lambert, L, 8-10
5
1-3
6
2
2
1
6
87
3.70
Blubaugh
1
1
2
2
1
1
17
3.42
Sousa
2-3
2
0
0
0
0
14
5.40
De Los Santos
2
2
2
2
0
3
30
4.79
Inherited runners-scored_Blubaugh 3-0.
ABS Challenge_Acuña (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Mahle (Ball-Confirmed); Altuve (Strike-Confirmed); Harris (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Trammell (Strike-Confirmed).
Umpires_Home, Lance Barrett; First, Nic Lentz; Second, Edwin Moscoso; Third, Lance Barksdale.
T_2:42. A_36,921 (41,000).
Acuña’s play preserved a two-run Atlanta lead. Matt Olson padded it with a two-run homer in the ninth inning, puncturing any idea of a Houston comeback in a 6-2 loss at Daikin Park.
For the second time in a week, the Astros saw an opponent clinch a playoff spot against them. Atlanta, like the Rays last Friday, secured a berth. Houston fell back to 77-77 and a first-place tie in the AL West with the Rangers, who beat Toronto, with eight games left in its regular season.
Atlanta’s lineup struck three two-run home runs. Michael Harris II hit one against starter Peter Lambert, who pitched into the sixth inning. Acuña accounted for another, against reliever AJ Blubaugh, and Olson struck the last against right-hander Enyel De Los Santos.
Article continues below this ad
The Astros totaled five hits. They did not have one until the fourth, when Alvarez doubled and Paredes and Altuve singled, all in succession, against Atlanta starter Tyler Mahle. In a 2-1 game at that point, it put the potential tying run in scoring position with no outs.
Houston’s next 12 batters were retired in order. Its lineup finished 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position. Paredes had both of those hits. Acuña prevented another, punctuating another ineffective showing by an offense threatening to undermine its postseason chances.
Lower half of lineup absent
Wade’s eighth-inning single was the only hit Houston received from the 5-through-9 spots in the lineup. Daulton Varsho, Christian Walker, Taylor Trammell, Wade and catcher Christian Vázquez combined to go 1-for-17. Yainer Diaz, who pinch-hit for Vázquez in the eighth inning, struck out.
Varsho, Trammell and Wade each hit one of the Astros’ five solo home runs in their win Friday over the Royals. Still, across Houston’s last nine games, Varsho is 4-for-33 and Walker is 1-for-28. Trammell, who returned Thursday from the paternity list, is 3-for-19 in that span.
Article continues below this ad
Cam Smith, who did not start Friday despite Mahle owning reverse splits, is hitless in his last 16 at-bats. The lineup’s lack of depth creates undue pressure on Jeremy Peña, who went 0-for-4 on Friday, Alvarez and Paredes in the top three spots.
Friday marked the 23rd time in 41 games since the trade deadline that Houston has scored three runs or fewer. Its record is 19-22 in that stretch. Extracting some impact from the lower half of the lineup seems imperative over its final eight games – and beyond, if it reaches the playoffs.
“We’re trying,” Espada said. “These guys are working their tails off to really try to put some good at-bats together, and today wasn’t the case.”
How did Peter Lambert pitch?
Lambert kept the Astros in striking distance while Mahle quieted their offense. The right-hander worked into the sixth inning (or later) for the 17th time in 27 starts this season. He allowed two runs – though he required an assist to preserve that line.
Article continues below this ad
“Good and bad,” Lambert said. “I thought I had a pretty sharp first three innings and then scuffled a little bit after that. Overall, it was all right, though.”
Lambert retired 10 of his first 11 batters, the exception reaching on an error. Olson struck Atlanta’s first hit with a fourth-inning single. Harris hit Lambert’s next pitch, a slurve, the other way into the Crawford Boxes for his 26th home run.
Olson and Harris singled to open the sixth. Lambert exited after a one-out walk to Ozzie Albies filled the bases. He issued one walk while striking out six. Atlanta averaged an 87.5 mph exit velocity against him.
“He’s just been really good all year,” Espada said. “Couldn’t score enough runs for him, but he just competes his tail off.”
Article continues below this ad
Lambert owns a 3.70 ERA in 151 major-league innings this season. No other Astros pitcher has reached 100 innings, though Hunter Brown, who has 97, should get there when he starts Sunday’s series finale.
AJ Blubaugh escapes, then blinks
Steven Okert has been Houston’s fireman this year, inheriting the most runners among its relievers, but is on the injured list recovering from a hamstring strain. So Blubaugh, who has inherited the third-most, replaced Lambert with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth.
Blubaugh struck out Mike Yastrzemski and induced a lineout from Austin Riley to escape the jam, briefly preserving a 2-1 game. Blubaugh has inherited 33 runners this season and stranded 25 of them, allowing 24% to score. League average entering Friday was 31%.
“Pete pitched a great outing,” Blubaugh said. “I’m glad I could keep those runs on the field.”
In the seventh, Blubaugh created his own jam. A one-out walk to Drake Baldwin brought up Acuña, who lasered a first-pitch fastball into the Crawford Boxes at 111 mph off the bat. Blubaugh has been scored upon in four of his last six outings, allowing three home runs in that stretch.
“You never want to walk the leadoff guy,” Blubaugh said. “And then Acuña, he saw it right away and put it over the fence. Not ideal, but hopefully I get another opportunity in the next few days and get in and make it better.”
Mauricio Dubón returns to Houston
Dubón, the former Astros utilityman and fan favorite, returned to Daikin Park for the first time since he was traded to Atlanta last offseason for infielder Nick Allen.
Fans welcomed him warmly. Dubón received an ovation after the Astros played a pregame tribute video, doffing his cap near the visitors’ dugout and waving across to Houston’s. He received another before his first at-bat and doffed his helmet.
Dubón, who entered batting .272 and slotted fifth in Atlanta’s lineup, went 2-for-4 with a single and a double. He was on the receiving end of a playful bump from Alvarez after the slugger crossed second base on his fourth-inning double.
Alvarez’s double was the Astros’ lone extra-base hit. Their lineup drew two walks and had 12 strikeouts against Mahle, Didier Fuentes and Raisel Iglesias. Atlanta’s bullpen entered with the third-lowest ERA in the majors, placing an onus on Houston’s lineup to strike earlier the next two days.