{"id":345108,"date":"2026-06-21T23:05:10","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T23:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/345108\/"},"modified":"2026-06-21T23:05:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T23:05:10","slug":"houston-astros-kai-wei-teng-rebounds-in-win-over-guardians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/345108\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Astros: Kai-Wei Teng rebounds in win over Guardians"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Kai-Wei<\/p>\n

Kai-Wei Teng, coming off a series of abbreviated outings, delivered one of his best performances of the season in helping the Astros win their third straight series.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) celebrates his double in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros center fielder Brice Matthews (0) can\u2019t quite get to Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) hit in the fifth inning at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) is tagged out by Cleveland Guardians catcher Patrick Bailey (16) after getting caught off third base at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros designated hitter Jose Altuve (27) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros left fielder Yordan Alvarez (44) celebrates his run off of a single by Isaac Paredes (15) in the fourth inning making the score 2-0 against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) connects for a single in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros catcher Christian V\u00e1zquez (2) connects for a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the third inning against Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (17) pitches in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (17) pitches in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) gets Cleveland Guardians right fielder Kahlil Watson (31) fly out in the second inning at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Cleveland<\/p>\n

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Slade Cecconi (44) pitches in the first inning against Houston Astros at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) congratulates Yordan Alvarez (44) after his solo home run in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"at<\/p>\n

at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) nods to the Cleveland Guardians bench in the first inning at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (17) pauses between batters in the first inning as the team takes on the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Kai-Wei Teng (17) pauses between batters in the first inning as the team takes on the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes (15) can\u2019t get Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Travis Bazzana (37) out at first during the first inning at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) bat breaks as his hits into a fielders choice in the ffth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros second baseman Raynel Delgado (29), Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith (11), Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a (3) and Houston Astros center fielder Jake Meyers (6) celebrate the team\u2019s 2-1 win over Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros fans cheer after the team on the game against Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Houston Astros won the game 2-1 and won the series 2-1.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader (71) celebrates after getting the last out ninth inning against Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Houston Astros won the game 2-1 and won the series 2-1.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader (71) pitches in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Houston Astros won the game 2-1 and won the series 2-1.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader (71) pitches in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Houston Astros won the game 2-1 and won the series 2-1.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Father\u2019s<\/p>\n

Father\u2019s Day plates during Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros game at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Houston Astros won the game 2-1 and won the series 2-1.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Bryan King (74) pitches in the eigth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Houston Astros won the game 2-1 and won the series 2-1.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros designated hitter Jose Altuve (27) connects but grounds out into a fielder\u2019s choice in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Houston Astros won the game 2-1 and won the series 2-1.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Stephen<\/p>\n

Stephen Matthews hugs his son, Houston Astros center fielder Brice Matthews (0), after throwing the ceremonial first pitch on Father\u2019s Day at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Stephen<\/p>\n

Stephen Matthews throws the ball to his son, Houston Astros center fielder Brice Matthews (0), for the ceremonial first pitch on Father\u2019s Day at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Stephen<\/p>\n

Stephen Matthews looks over to his son, Houston Astros center fielder Brice Matthews (0), before the ceremonial first pitch on Father\u2019s Day at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle\"Some<\/p>\n

Some Houston Astros were joined by their dads for a ceremonial first pitch at Daikin Park on Sunday, June 21, 2026. Pitcher Spencer Arrighetti, from left, with his dad, Keith, pitcher Josh Hader with his dad, Tom, and Stephen Matthews with his son, outfielder Brice.<\/p>\n

Elizabeth Conley\/Houston Chronicle<\/p>\n

After several starts that were cut short<\/a> due to inconsistency and hard contact, Houston Astros<\/a> right-hander\u00a0Kai-Wei Teng was able to find his rhythm Sunday, delivering one of his strongest outings of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Teng worked six innings and allowed one run as the Astros beat the Cleveland Guardians 2-1<\/a> at Daikin Park to win the three-game series.<\/p>\n

It was the first time Teng pitched six innings since the\u00a0Astros’ 3-0 win over the Cubs<\/a> on May 23 in Chicago. Since then, he struggled to work deep into games, pitching 17 \u2153 innings over his next four starts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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

Sunday was a notable improvement for Teng, who allowed only four hits and one walk while striking out four. He threw 83 pitches (55 strikes) and lowered his ERA to 4.03.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Astros manager Joe Espada said catcher Christian V\u00e1zquez played a big role in Sunday\u2019s success.\u00a0Espada said Vazquez was able to recognize patterns and use Teng\u2019s changeup and other pitches effectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth (Vazquez and Teng) work really well, they were really well-prepared,\u201d Espada said. \u201cYou know that tandem between those two really got us through six innings.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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

V\u00e1zquez said Teng has a good slider and can sneak some fastballs into the zone, causing a lot of late swings and subsequent strikes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was good today,\u201d V\u00e1zquez said. \u201cIn the zone, it was good, Teng was throwing a lot of strikes, it was great.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

BATTERS
\nAVG
\nOBA
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\n2B
\n3B
\nHR
\nRBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nSB
\nCS
\nE<\/p>\n

Team Totals
\n.243
\n.317
\n2652
\n356
\n645
\n130
\n5
\n103
\n341
\n261
\n647
\n24
\n12
\n29<\/p>\n

Delgado
\n.364
\n.364
\n11
\n1
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n0
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Wade
\n.333
\n.385
\n12
\n2
\n4
\n2
\n0
\n1
\n4
\n1
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Alvarez
\n.322
\n.428
\n283
\n54
\n91
\n15
\n0
\n25
\n56
\n49
\n57
\n1
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1a
\n.283
\n.343
\n159
\n28
\n45
\n9
\n0
\n6
\n18
\n12
\n28
\n5
\n1
\n5<\/p>\n

Correa
\n.279
\n.369
\n122
\n22
\n34
\n8
\n0
\n3
\n16
\n18
\n26
\n1
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Trammell
\n.276
\n.337
\n76
\n9
\n21
\n5
\n1
\n0
\n7
\n6
\n31
\n1
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Allen
\n.250
\n.290
\n64
\n12
\n16
\n2
\n0
\n1
\n5
\n3
\n14
\n1
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Paredes
\n.246
\n.348
\n256
\n31
\n63
\n14
\n0
\n10
\n37
\n30
\n49
\n0
\n0
\n6<\/p>\n

Diaz
\n.243
\n.265
\n111
\n8
\n27
\n6
\n0
\n2
\n15
\n4
\n19
\n0
\n1
\n0<\/p>\n

Shewmake
\n.243
\n.260
\n74
\n8
\n18
\n3
\n0
\n3
\n8
\n2
\n13
\n0
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Walker
\n.241
\n.313
\n291
\n43
\n70
\n14
\n1
\n18
\n52
\n27
\n69
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Loperfido
\n.241
\n.344
\n79
\n11
\n19
\n7
\n0
\n0
\n7
\n12
\n22
\n1
\n1
\n1<\/p>\n

Altuve
\n.235
\n.308
\n213
\n33
\n50
\n11
\n0
\n8
\n20
\n22
\n54
\n1
\n2
\n2<\/p>\n

Harris
\n.226
\n.286
\n31
\n4
\n7
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n4
\n2
\n6
\n2
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Smith
\n.219
\n.300
\n260
\n30
\n57
\n12
\n1
\n7
\n26
\n27
\n77
\n8
\n1
\n4<\/p>\n

V\u00e1zquez
\n.219
\n.280
\n151
\n16
\n33
\n6
\n0
\n4
\n19
\n13
\n27
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Meyers
\n.210
\n.269
\n119
\n13
\n25
\n5
\n0
\n3
\n11
\n9
\n27
\n1
\n2
\n0<\/p>\n

Matthews
\n.206
\n.255
\n175
\n18
\n36
\n5
\n1
\n6
\n18
\n12
\n60
\n2
\n4
\n1<\/p>\n

Dezenzo
\n.191
\n.255
\n47
\n5
\n9
\n4
\n0
\n1
\n2
\n4
\n19
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Price
\n.167
\n.231
\n12
\n1
\n2
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n6
\n0
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Cole
\n.157
\n.189
\n51
\n4
\n8
\n1
\n0
\n3
\n8
\n1
\n21
\n0
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Johnson
\n.143
\n.294
\n14
\n1
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Whitcomb
\n.130
\n.167
\n23
\n2
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n5
\n1
\n11
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Salazar
\n.056
\n.227
\n18
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n3
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

PITCHERS
\nW
\nL
\nERA
\nG
\nGS
\nSV
\nIP
\nH
\nR
\nER
\nHR
\nBB
\nSO<\/p>\n

Team Totals
\n37
\n42
\n4.84
\n79
\n79
\n22
\n697.1
\n631
\n397
\n375
\n101
\n346
\n681<\/p>\n

VanWey
\n0
\n0
\n0.00
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n5<\/p>\n

Santa
\n0
\n1
\n0.71
\n8
\n0
\n0
\n12.2
\n5
\n5
\n1
\n0
\n5
\n8<\/p>\n

Brown
\n1
\n0
\n1.10
\n3
\n3
\n0
\n16.1
\n8
\n2
\n2
\n0
\n9
\n24<\/p>\n

Hader
\n1
\n0
\n1.12
\n8
\n0
\n5
\n8
\n2
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n13<\/p>\n

Okert
\n0
\n0
\n2.48
\n36
\n1
\n0
\n36.1
\n21
\n10
\n10
\n3
\n11
\n34<\/p>\n

King
\n2
\n1
\n2.51
\n30
\n0
\n6
\n32.1
\n28
\n11
\n9
\n1
\n13
\n25<\/p>\n

Arrighetti
\n7
\n3
\n3.13
\n12
\n12
\n0
\n69
\n51
\n26
\n24
\n6
\n32
\n68<\/p>\n

Lambert
\n6
\n4
\n3.23
\n11
\n11
\n0
\n64
\n46
\n23
\n23
\n6
\n25
\n58<\/p>\n

Blubaugh
\n3
\n2
\n3.78
\n30
\n0
\n0
\n47.2
\n33
\n21
\n20
\n5
\n27
\n44<\/p>\n

Teng
\n4
\n6
\n4.03
\n22
\n9
\n0
\n60.1
\n51
\n30
\n27
\n9
\n27
\n62<\/p>\n

De Los Santos
\n0
\n1
\n4.22
\n31
\n0
\n4
\n32
\n27
\n16
\n15
\n2
\n8
\n31<\/p>\n

Pearson
\n1
\n0
\n4.22
\n9
\n0
\n1
\n10.2
\n11
\n5
\n5
\n1
\n4
\n10<\/p>\n

Roa
\n0
\n1
\n5.19
\n7
\n0
\n0
\n8.2
\n10
\n5
\n5
\n1
\n7
\n6<\/p>\n

Bolton
\n0
\n1
\n5.40
\n8
\n3
\n1
\n20
\n21
\n12
\n12
\n3
\n14
\n22<\/p>\n

Burrows
\n3
\n8
\n5.79
\n15
\n14
\n0
\n79.1
\n95
\n54
\n51
\n18
\n30
\n66<\/p>\n

Imai
\n4
\n3
\n6.15
\n10
\n10
\n0
\n41
\n35
\n28
\n28
\n6
\n24
\n48<\/p>\n

Abreu
\n2
\n3
\n6.39
\n29
\n0
\n5
\n25.1
\n22
\n20
\n18
\n6
\n24
\n33<\/p>\n

McCullers
\n2
\n3
\n6.86
\n8
\n8
\n0
\n39.1
\n38
\n32
\n30
\n7
\n22
\n43<\/p>\n

Murray
\n0
\n0
\n7.43
\n8
\n0
\n0
\n13.1
\n19
\n11
\n11
\n1
\n7
\n8<\/p>\n

Weiss
\n0
\n3
\n7.62
\n9
\n2
\n0
\n26
\n35
\n24
\n22
\n8
\n20
\n30<\/p>\n

France
\n0
\n0
\n8.10
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n6.2
\n6
\n6
\n6
\n1
\n5
\n4<\/p>\n

Sousa
\n0
\n0
\n8.10
\n5
\n0
\n0
\n3.1
\n3
\n3
\n3
\n0
\n5
\n4<\/p>\n

Salazar
\n0
\n0
\n9.00
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0<\/p>\n

Alexander
\n1
\n1
\n9.33
\n4
\n2
\n0
\n18.1
\n21
\n19
\n19
\n4
\n8
\n14<\/p>\n

Gordon
\n0
\n0
\n11.57
\n4
\n1
\n0
\n9.1
\n21
\n12
\n12
\n6
\n3
\n11<\/p>\n

Javier
\n0
\n1
\n12.54
\n3
\n3
\n0
\n9.1
\n13
\n13
\n13
\n2
\n9
\n4<\/p>\n

Mu\u00f1oz
\n0
\n0
\n15.75
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n4
\n7
\n7
\n7
\n3
\n6
\n6<\/p>\n

Teng\u00a0has previously had trouble against left-handed batters, who had a .944 OPS against him this season. Sunday, he faced eight lefties and seemed to slide through them finding a comfortable rhythm.<\/p>\n

Teng said\u00a0he\u2019s been more comfortable pitching against lefties recently.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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

\u201cI\u2019m really getting used to facing a lot of lefties right now,\u201d Teng said through an interpreter. \u201cI\u2019m getting more comfortable pitching against lefties, so I would say my mindset facing lefties and righties are the same right now.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Teng then turned the game over to the left-handed trio of\u00a0Steven Okert, Bryan King and Josh Hader.<\/p>\n

The three relievers worked an inning apiece, allowed no hits and struck out six.\u00a0Okert threw 21 pitches (13 strikes) while allowing one walk in the seventh. King got through the eighth on 11 pitches (seven strikes) and Hader needed just nine pitches, all but one a strike, to lock down his fifth save.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOkert, King, Hader\u00a0\u2014 I can\u2019t say enough about how good those guys have been,\u201d Espada said. \u201cWhen we get our starter through five, six innings, and we can deploy those guys, and they\u2019re as good as it gets.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Hader missed the first two months of the season with biceps tendinitis and was out for the last two months of last season with a left shoulder capsule strain. Espada said Hader’s strong return was exactly what he expected from Hader.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s healthy, he\u2019s one of the best,\u201d Espada said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kai-Wei Teng, coming off a series of abbreviated outings, delivered one of his best performances of the season…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":345015,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57],"class_list":["post-345108","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\/345108","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=345108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/345108\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/345015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=345108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=345108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=345108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}