<\/p>\n
Yainer Diaz’s second-inning single scored the Astros’ lone run in Saturday’s loss to the Guardians.<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Cleveland Guardians’ Travis Bazzana, right, celebrates with Patrick Bailey, left, after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Cleveland Guardians’ Travis Bazzana watches his three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Cleveland Guardians’ Kyle Manzardo, right, celebrates with Travis Bazzana, left, after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes, left, tags out Cleveland Guardians’ Patrick Bailey, right, during the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros’ Yainer Diaz, left, celebrates near first base coach Dave Clark (23) after hitting an RBI single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros’ Yainer Diaz hits an RBI single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes fields a ground ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Cleveland Guardians’ Travis Bazzana, right, slaps hands with Brayan Rocchio, left, after hitting a first pitch home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Cleveland Guardians’ Travis Bazzana celebrates after hitting a first-pitch home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros outfielders Brice Matthews, left, Taylor Trammell, center, and first base coach Dave Clark talk before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve signs autographs before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros infielder Raynel Delgado warms up before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros first base coach Dave Clark looks on before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada speaks with the media before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/Kevin M. Cox)<\/p>\n
Kevin M. Cox\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
Riding onto of the Oranje Dutch Fanbus sits a DJ who sports an Astros hat during the Oranje Fanwalk, hosted by Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond and the Royal Dutch Football Association, in support of the Netherlands as they prepare to face Sweden at Houston Stadium in Houston, June 20, 2026.<\/p>\n
Jacob Lujan\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n
A stabilizing force upon joining a reeling\u00a0Houston Astros<\/a>\u00a0rotation, Spencer Arrighetti is enduring a rough stretch. Saturday, a lifeless Astros offense could not overcome his most lopsided line yet.<\/p>\n Houston\u2019s lineup was held in check by Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo. A Guardians lineup that ranks among baseball\u2019s least productive tagged Arrighetti for six runs, all scoring on three home runs. And the Astros fell 8-1 to end their three-game winning streak and even a three-game series at Daikin Park.<\/p>\n After clawing Friday to five games under .500 for the first time since April 17, the Astros dropped to 36-42. They retain a chance to win three consecutive series for the first time this season in Sunday\u2019s finale, when they will start Kai-Wei Teng against Slade Cecconi in a matchup of right-handers.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n It will likely require more offense than they mustered Saturday.\u00a0Cantillo quieted the Astros over eight innings of one-run ball, scattering four hits and striking out nine. He retired his final 14 batters in a row. Houston managed one baserunner after the fourth inning.<\/p>\n \u201cThat curveball\u00a0\u2014 he leaned on it and it was a really good pitch,\u201d manager Joe Espada said of Cantillo, who threw 45% curveballs and induced 13 whiffs with it. \u201cWe couldn\u2019t make any adjustments against that curveball. It was a really good pitch. You\u2019ve got to tip your hat\u00a0\u2014 he had really good stuff today.\u201d<\/p>\n ASTROS INSIDER: Homers overshadow ‘positives’ for Spencer Arrighetti<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Astros have lost Arrighetti\u2019s past two starts after winning nine of his first 10. That their offense has totaled one run in the two games is a leading factor, but Arrighetti\u2019s numbers in June are also notable.<\/p>\n In his five May starts, Arrighetti totaled a 0.93 ERA across 29 innings. In four starts in June, he has a 6.95 ERA in 22 innings. His six runs allowed Saturday marked a season high.<\/p>\n Travis Bazzana, the Guardians\u2019 leadoff hitter and second baseman, delivered the most damage. Bazzana hit two of three home runs Arrighetti surrendered, a solo homer in the first inning and a three-run blast in the fifth. Kyle Manzardo hit the other, a two-run shot in the third inning.<\/p>\n Bazzana finished with four hits and five RBIs, both career highs for the rookie. Cleveland totaled 10 hits. The Astros finished with five hits. Jose Altuve struck two. All five hits were singles, with Joey Loperfido\u2019s one-out single in the ninth snapping a stretch of 15 in a row retired by Guardians pitchers.<\/p>\n Cleveland Totals Bazzana 2b Manzardo 1b Rocchio ss Hoskins dh Schneemann 3b Watson rf Kwan lf Bailey c Halpin cf Houston Totals Pe\u00f1a ss a-Delgado ph-ss Alvarez dh b-Trammell ph Walker 1b Loperfido lf Paredes 3b-1b Altuve 2b Diaz c Cam.Smith rf Meyers cf Matthews lf-3b Cleveland Houston a-struck out for Pe\u00f1a in the 8th. b-struck out for Alvarez in the 9th.<\/p>\n LOB_Cleveland 1, Houston 4. HR_Bazzana 2 (7), off Arrighetti; Manzardo (9), off Arrighetti. RBIs_Bazzana 5 (23), Manzardo 3 (26), Diaz (15). S_Halpin.<\/p>\n Runners left in scoring position_Cleveland 0; Houston 2 (Matthews, Altuve). RISP_Cleveland 3 for 4; Houston 1 for 5.<\/p>\n LIDP_Rocchio.<\/p>\n DP_Houston 1 (Pe\u00f1a).<\/p>\n IP<\/p>\n H 8<\/p>\n 4 1<\/p>\n 1 IP<\/p>\n H 6<\/p>\n 6 1<\/p>\n 4 1<\/p>\n 0 1<\/p>\n 0 HBP_Arrighetti (Kwan).<\/p>\n ABS Challenge_Hoskins (Strike-Confirmed); Altuve (Strike-Overturned to Ball).<\/p>\n Pitch timer violations_Cantillo (pitcher); Arrighetti (pitcher).<\/p>\n Umpires_Home, Vic Carapazza; First, Edwin Moscoso; Second, Jen Pawol; Third, Hunter Wendelstedt.<\/p>\n T_2:25. A_32,678 (41,000).<\/p>\n Long ball bites Arrighetti<\/p>\n Until Saturday, Arrighetti had largely avoided giving up the long ball this season. He allowed three total in his first 11 starts, none to left-handed hitters. His rate of 0.43 homers allowed per nine innings was sixth-lowest in the majors among pitchers with at least 60 innings.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Cleveland, a club that owned baseball\u2019s second-lowest slugging percentage entering Saturday and whose top two home-run hitters\u00a0\u2014 Angel Mart\u00ednez and Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez\u00a0\u2014 are on the injured list, struck three home runs against Arrighetti, all by left-handed hitters.<\/p>\n \u201cStuff overall, I thought it was good,\u201d Arrighetti said. \u201cMade a couple mistakes that got punished. Other than that, feel like I was in the zone a lot, competitive a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Bazzana drove Arrighetti\u2019s first pitch of the game, a fastball, over the wall in right-center. The leadoff man also singled on a 2-2 four-seamer in the third inning, just before Manzardo arced a first-pitch fastball 388 feet to left-center for a two-run shot.<\/p>\n In the fifth, Bazzana came up with runners on second and third base. He did not see a fastball. Arrighetti instead threw him four sweepers in a five-pitch at-bat. Bazzana blasted the last one 406 feet to the seats in right-center to give the Guardians a 6-1 lead.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like the adjustments that I needed to make after (his last start in) Kansas City were made and just some stuff didn\u2019t go my way tonight,\u201d Arrighetti said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Entering the day, lefties owned a .188 average and a .222 slugging percentage against Arrighetti this year with four extra-base hits in 117 at-bats, all doubles. Bazzana and Manzardo nearly matched that number within a five-inning span.<\/p>\n Missed opportunity<\/p>\n Houston\u2019s lineup created little action against Cantillo, who threw 98 pitches across his eight innings and generated 20 whiffs. It did not capitalize fully on its ripest chance.<\/p>\n The Astros opened the second inning with three consecutive singles. Yainer Diaz\u2019s drove in a run, forging a 1-1 tie, and left runners on first and third with nobody out.<\/p>\n The rally fizzled. Cam Smith\u2019s fly out to left field proved too shallow for Jose Altuve to attempt to tag up from third. Jake Meyers took a called third strike. Brice Matthews struck out swinging at a low curveball to end the inning.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Houston did not put another runner in scoring position against Cantillo. Altuve tried in the fourth, when he lined a single to left field and motored for second base. Steven Kwan\u2019s throw beat him there by about 25 feet for the inning\u2019s first out.<\/p>\n On Burrows<\/p>\n Moved to the bullpen during this weekend\u2019s series, right-hander Mike Burrows could rejoin the starting rotation during the Astros\u2019 upcoming series in Toronto, Espada said pregame.<\/p>\n Houston will need a sixth starter at some point during a stretch of 13 games with no off-day that began Friday. Espada said pregame Saturday the Astros were still talking through their rotation against Toronto but that Burrows could start one of those three games.<\/p>\n Burrows, who has a 5.86 ERA in 14 starts this season, entered Friday\u2019s game in relief in the ninth inning and worked a scoreless frame on seven pitches. Espada said that kept Burrows an option to start in the upcoming series, as: \u201cIf I want to use him in Toronto, I needed him to throw either yesterday or today.\u201d<\/p>\n Injury updates<\/p>\n After facing hitters in live batting practice Friday, right-hander\u00a0Lance McCullers Jr.<\/a>\u00a0will start a minor-league rehab assignment next week in his recovery from a shoulder injury, Espada said.<\/p>\n McCullers landed on the injured list May 19, due to what he described Friday as a rotator cuff impingement. It\u2019s unclear how many rehab outings\u00a0McCullers, who threw 25 pitches in the live BP, might require. He was 2-3 with a 6.86 ERA in his first eight starts this season.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Ronel Blanco<\/a>\u00a0will make his next rehab outing next week with Double-A Corpus Christi. Blanco, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw three innings and 44 pitches in his first rehab outing in the Florida Complex League. He\u2019ll likely increase to four innings and 55-60 pitches in his next start.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s progressing well,\u201d Espada said.<\/p>\n \u2022 Outfielder\u00a0LaMonte Wade Jr.<\/a>\u00a0and infielder\u00a0Nick Allen<\/a>, who are both rehabbing from hamstring strains, will ramp up their work next week and potentially start playing in rehab games next weekend.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Yainer Diaz’s second-inning single scored the Astros’ lone run in Saturday’s loss to the Guardians. Kevin M. Cox\/Associated…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":344524,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57],"class_list":["post-344523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=344523"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344523\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/344524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=344523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=344523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=344523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n
\n34
\n8
\n10
\n8
\n0
\n11<\/p>\n
\n4
\n3
\n4
\n5
\n0
\n0
\n.274<\/p>\n
\n4
\n1
\n2
\n3
\n0
\n2
\n.238<\/p>\n
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.269<\/p>\n
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n.175<\/p>\n
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n.218<\/p>\n
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n.000<\/p>\n
\n3
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.207<\/p>\n
\n4
\n2
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.182<\/p>\n
\n3
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.158<\/p>\n
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n
\n31
\n1
\n5
\n1
\n1
\n11<\/p>\n
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n.284<\/p>\n
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.375<\/p>\n
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.320<\/p>\n
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.276<\/p>\n
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n.240<\/p>\n
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.250<\/p>\n
\n4
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.238<\/p>\n
\n4
\n0
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.239<\/p>\n
\n3
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n.243<\/p>\n
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.222<\/p>\n
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n.210<\/p>\n
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.206<\/p>\n
\n102
\n030
\n200_8
\n10
\n0<\/p>\n
\n010
\n000
\n000_1
\n5
\n0<\/p>\n
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n9
\n98
\n4.05<\/p>\n
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n15
\n4.22<\/p>\n
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n
\n6
\n6
\n0
\n8
\n90
\n3.13<\/p>\n
\n2
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n24
\n4.22<\/p>\n
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n16
\n3.78<\/p>\n
\n0
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\n0
\n0
\n11
\n6.39<\/p>\n