The Braves’ Ronald Acuña Jr. stops to celebrate as he passes Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes after hitting a grand slam to put the Braves in front during the seventh inning Saturday.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Lack of offense is leaving the Houston Astros minimal margin for error. Clinging to precarious postseason hopes, they carried a one-run lead to the seventh inning Saturday, needing nine outs from a beleaguered bullpen to preserve it.
AJ Blubaugh, the rookie right-hander with more relief innings than any pitcher in the majors this season, procured one. His next two batters reached on soft singles. Blubaugh built an 0-2 count on Sean Murphy, the ninth hitter in Atlanta’s order, but could not finish him. A walk loaded the bases.
Manager Joe Espada emerged and signaled for Bryan Abreu, a move he’d hoped to delay accelerated by a tenuous lead and the top of Atlanta’s lineup. A strikeout of Drake Baldwin put Abreu on the cusp of an escape. Ronald Acuña Jr. refused to allow it.
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Acuña blasted a fastball from Abreu into an archway in left-center field, his grand slam sending Houston to a 6-3 loss at Daikin Park. It is the Astros’ ninth loss in their past 13 games. This one left them at 77-78 and altered the top of an American League West race.
With the loss, the Astros fell a game behind the Rangers, who defeated Toronto. Houston had spent all but one day since July 31 alone or tied atop the division. Now, it no longer controls its playoff fate with seven games left in the regular season.
“That was a tough one,” Espada said. “We were right there, one out away from really turning things around there. But we have to flush this one really quick. This is a tough one. We’ve just got to get ready for tomorrow.”
The Astros totaled 10 hits but scored three or fewer runs for the 24th time in 42 games since the Aug. 3 trade deadline, a stretch in which they are 19-23. Isaac Paredes drove in two runs with a home run and an RBI single against Atlanta starter Grant Holmes that built a 2-0 lead after three innings.
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Hayden Wesneski guarded it until the sixth inning, when Matt Olson’s run-scoring single pared the lead to one. Acuña’s blast erased it entirely. Mike Yastrzemski added a solo home run against Logan VanWey in the eighth inning.
Houston still brought the potential tying run to the plate in the eighth. Paredes worked a two-out walk, Jose Altuve bunted for a hit and Yainer Diaz lined a run-scoring double. Houston sent Nelson Velázquez to pinch-hit against lefty Dylan Lee for Daulton Varsho, who is in a 3-for-32 slide.
Velázquez struck out swinging. The Astros did not threaten again, as they slipped into second place and — for the moment — out of the American League playoff picture.
“It’s not about feeling sorry for yourself or being pissed off, it’s winning every game from here on out,” first baseman Christian Walker said. “That’s the only thing that matters.”
Atlanta
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
34
6
11
6
4
4
Baldwin dh
5
1
3
0
0
1
.282
Acuña rf
3
1
2
4
2
0
.259
Olson 1b
4
0
2
1
0
0
.255
Harris cf
4
0
0
0
0
0
.290
Dubón ss
4
0
1
0
0
1
.273
Albies 2b
4
0
0
0
0
1
.242
Yastrzemski lf
4
2
2
1
0
1
.228
Riley 3b
4
1
1
0
0
0
.220
S.Murphy c
2
1
0
0
2
0
.179
Houston
AB
R
H
BI
BB
SO
Avg.
Totals
35
3
10
3
1
7
Peña ss
4
1
1
0
0
2
.276
Alvarez dh
4
0
1
0
0
0
.312
Paredes 3b
3
2
2
2
1
0
.261
Altuve 2b
4
0
3
0
0
0
.247
Diaz c
4
0
1
1
0
0
.276
Varsho cf
3
0
0
0
0
1
.221
a-Velázquez ph
1
0
0
0
0
1
.194
Trammell cf
0
0
0
0
0
0
.202
Walker 1b
4
0
2
0
0
0
.222
C.Smith rf
4
0
0
0
0
2
.210
Wade lf
4
0
0
0
0
1
.208
Atlanta
000
001
410_6
11
0
Houston
101
000
010_3
10
0
a-struck out for Varsho in the 8th.
LOB_Atlanta 5, Houston 6. 2B_Baldwin (20), Diaz (14). 3B_Peña (2). HR_Acuña (20), off Abreu; Yastrzemski (11), off VanWey; Paredes (22), off Holmes. RBIs_Olson (89), Acuña 4 (55), Yastrzemski (37), Paredes 2 (90), Diaz (39).
Runners left in scoring position_Atlanta 1 (Dubón); Houston 3 (Diaz, Velázquez 2). RISP_Atlanta 2 for 6; Houston 2 for 5.
Runners moved up_Altuve. GIDP_Albies, Acuña, Baldwin, Diaz.
DP_Atlanta 1 (Dubón, Albies, Olson); Houston 3 (Walker, Peña; Walker, Peña, Walker; Peña, Altuve, Walker).
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
6
8
2
2
0
4
87
3.47
1
0
0
0
0
1
13
3.73
1
2
1
1
1
1
26
3.18
1
0
0
0
0
1
14
2.64
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
NP
ERA
5
4
1
1
3
3
79
3.50
0
0
0
0
0
7
5.27
2
3
3
1
0
22
3.70
2
1
1
0
1
15
3.88
2
3
1
1
0
0
33
2.25
Inherited runners-scored_Sousa 1-0, Abreu 3-3.
ABS Challenge_Wesneski (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Wesneski (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Holmes (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Wesneski (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Acuña (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Holmes (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Mederos (Ball-Confirmed); VanWey (Ball-Confirmed).
Umpires_Home, Nic Lentz; First, Edwin Moscoso; Second, Lance Barksdale; Third, Lance Barrett.
T_2:41. A_41,147 (41,000).
Bullpen looks susceptible
The bullpen has been Houston’s most reliable unit this season. But one wonders if its workload and the absence of experienced depth may be catching up.
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Since Aug. 15, the Astros’ relivers have combined for a 4.92 ERA. They awoke Saturday with the majors’ eighth-highest ERA in that stretch. Just six bullpens had worked more innings in the full season.
Blubaugh, a key bullpen figure all season, has been scored upon in five of his last seven appearances. Abreu has allowed two costly home runs in his last four outings, including Junior Caminero’s walk-off Sept. 11 at Tampa Bay. The Astros are still without setup man Steven Okert, on the injured list with a hamstring strain, lessening their options to bridge the late innings to closer Josh Hader.
Houston Astros pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) delivers during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros relief pitcher Bennett Sousa (62) delivers during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after being pulled during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros center fielder Daulton Varsho (18) fields Atlanta Braves Matt Olson’s RBI single during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a single during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña (3) fields a ground ball by Atlanta Braves Ozzie Albies during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) tosses the ball to starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) to get out Atlanta Braves Mike Yastrzemski during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) tags out Houston Astros Christian Walker (8) as he tries to stretch a single into a double during the fifth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Yainer Diaz (21) reacts after a strike call during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jose Altuve (27) backs off an inside pitch from Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Grant Holmes during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) gets high-fives in the dugout after scoring on Isaac Paredes’ RBI single during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Isaac Paredes (15) reacts after hitting an RBI single during the third inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) pours water on his head during the second inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) reacts as he walks back to the dugout during the second inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) reacts after a pitch during the second inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Isaac Paredes (15) hits a solo home run off Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Grant Holmes during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Hayden Wesneski (39) reacts after walking Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuña Jr. during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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during the first inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (21) runs after hitting an RBI double during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Jeremy Peña (3) is seen in the dugout during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Logan VanWey is seen in the dugout during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Carlos Correa is seen in the dugout during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Logan VanWey reacts after giving up a solo home run to Atlanta Braves Mike Yastrzemski during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros pitcher Logan VanWey delivers during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) reacts after hitting a grand-slam to put the Braves up 5-2 during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) stops near Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) after hitting a grand-slam to put the Braves up 5-2 during the seventh inning of an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
The batter’s eye in the outfield at Daikin Park is seen before an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Nick Allen fields ground balls at second base before an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Nick Allen fields ground balls at third base before an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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Houston Astros Brice Matthews warms up before an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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A scoreboard operator swaps out teams in the outfield manual scoreboard at Daikin Park before an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
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A scoreboard operator swaps out teams in the outfield manual scoreboard at Daikin Park before an MLB baseball game in Houston, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026.
Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Isaac Paredes as run producer
No Astros hitter has been better with runners in scoring position this season than Yordan Alvarez. The slugger entered Saturday with a 1.282 OPS in those situations. His .349 average ranked seventh out of major-league hitters with at least 100 such plate appearances.
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His 33.8% walk rate in such situations, however, was highest among that group. Pitchers have tiptoed around Alvarez, daring the hitters behind him to capitalize, starting with Paredes.
Just 12 hitters entered Saturday with more plate appearances with runners in scoring position than the Astros third baseman. Paredes had a .302/.371/.450 slash line in those situations, an effective line by a hitter Houston needs to be a run producer.
Paredes leads the Astros with 30 RBIs since the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Walker ranks second with 16. By driving in runs in each of his first two at-bats Saturday, Paredes became the seventh AL player to reach 90 RBIs this season. He could challenge his career high of 98 RBIs with seven games left.
“I feel good, a lot of confidence, and with the capacity to go and compete out there,” Paredes said, through interpreter Otto Loor.
A glimmer from Christian Walker
Walker, whose offense has declined since May, entered with a .557 OPS since the All-Star break and hitless in his past 23 at-bats. He did not play Thursday, for what Espada termed “hopefully … a day for him to reset and get back in there and help us in that middle part of the lineup.”
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The impact Walker can have on Houston’s offense — in both directions — is obvious. Entering Saturday, his OPS in the club’s wins this season was 1.002. He had a .384 OPS in losses.
Walker slotted seventh in the lineup Saturday, a reflection of his struggles, but produced the Astros’ two hardest-hit balls against Holmes.
Walker hit a 110.7 mph single up the middle in his first at-bat, ending his hitless streak. He laced a 108.2 mph single off the left-field scoreboard in his second and was thrown out trying to stretch a double. The swings were perhaps an encouraging sign, one the Astros hope is not arriving too late.
“Trying to take a little pressure off, trying to trust myself more, trust what I’m seeing and keep it easy,” Walker said. “When I just react and I’m not predetermining things or trying to get a certain swing off, I think I’m a much better hitter under those circumstances.
“Hopefully it’s something that is repeatable. But yeah, it was kind of just an effort and intensity change, and it felt like it helped me make some good decisions.”
Hayden Wesneski rebounds
After lasting three innings and allowing seven runs (three earned) to the Rays in his last start, Wesneski was more effective. His velocity, which dipped at Tampa Bay, was back up, a tick above its season mean. He did not generate much swing-and-miss but induced weak contact from an aggressive Atlanta lineup.
Fifteen balls put in play against him averaged an 83.9 mph exit velocity. Just four left bats above 95 mph, the Statcast hard-hit threshold. Wesneski worked efficiently in the middle innings, but his outing stalled the third time through Atlanta’s order.
Wesneski’s first two batters reached on a double and a walk. He retired 14 of the next 16, the exceptions a walk and a single in the third. He retired seven in a row before Drake Baldwin singled to begin the sixth inning. Acuña drew a walk. Olson lined a single to center field, driving in Baldwin.
“Getting out of the first (unscathed) is a big deal,” Wesneski said. “After that it went well. I wish I would have got through that sixth. It would have helped us out, I think, on the back end.”
Acuña was thrown out going first-to-third, but the at-bat still ended Wesneski’s outing. He exited with a 2-1 lead that Bennett Sousa preserved by retiring two hitters in the sixth. Wesneski has a 3.50 ERA in 10 starts since returning from elbow surgery.
“Nice job by Wesneski, threw the ball really well,” Espada said. “Threw a ton of strikes. Really gave us a chance.”