
Brice Matthews hits first 2 big-league homers, leads Astros past the D-backs 6-3
Matthews went deep in the second inning with a three-run shot, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 lead. His two-run homer in the seventh pushed the Astros ahead 6-3.
The 23-year-old second baseman is one of the Astros' top prospects and a first-round pick in 2023.
The Diamondbacks had their four-game winning streak snapped. Eugenio Suarez hit his NL-leading 36th homer.
Arizona's Zac Gallen (7-11) gave up six runs over six innings. He's given up 23 homers this year, which is already the most in a season in his career.
Houston lefty Colton Gordon (4-2) gave up three runs — two earned — over 5 2/3 innings. Josh Hader worked the ninth for his 26th save in 27 chances.
The D-backs had the tying run at the plate with two outs, but Josh Naylor flied out to right to end the game.
Walker had two hits while playing against the D-backs for the first time since he left the team for Houston in free agency during the offseason. He hit 146 homers over eight seasons in Arizona, helping the franchise reach the World Series in 2023.
D-backs star Ketel Marte returned to the lineup for the first time since his house was burglarized over the All-Star break . The D-backs left 11 runners on base.
The D-backs loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth, but reliever Bennett Sousa retired Marte on a fly ball to left to end the threat.
Gallen reached 1,000 career strikeouts in the fourth inning. He's the second pitcher who debuted in 2019 to hit the mark, joining Dylan Cease.
The Astros send LHP Framber Valdez (10-4, 2.75 ERA) to the mound against Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (3-6, 5.94) on Tuesday.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Highlights from Day 2 of Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for their second practice of training camp, where there were plenty of notable observations and highlights with new head coach Ben Johnson leading the show. It was another sloppy day for the starting offense on Day 2, where there were was some issues that had to be corrected with huddle procedure and getting lined up. On Wednesday, Johnson notably pulled the starting offense during a 7-on-7 drill when they couldn't line up properly. But there were also some standout players, including rookie running back Kyle Monangai, and some updates with position battles. While it was a closed practice, there were media in attendance, who were able to capture some quick highlights from the second workout. In the clips, we get a glimpse of quarterback Caleb Williams connecting with wide receiver DJ Moore, running back drills, Rome Odunze catching passes and receivers coach/assistant coach Antwaan Randle El during drills. Highlights from second practice of Bears training camp Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears training camp: Highlights from Day 2
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nathaniel Hackett returns to Packers as defensive analyst
Who says you can't go home? Former Broncos head coach and Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is now back on staff with the Packers, head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed in his Thursday press conference. Hackett will serve as a defensive analyst for the club, helping give coordinator Jeff Hafley a fresh perspective. It's a similar role to what Robert Saleh played for the offense when he joined the staff last year after being fired as Jets head coach. Luke Getsy also served as a defensive analyst last year after he'd been fired from his role as Raiders offensive coordinator. Getsy is now still on staff as a senior assistant. "He's a guy I really respect and we've had a lot of great times together," LaFleur said Thursday, via Zach Kruse of USA Today. 'It's a fresh perspective. It gives you a little different lens to see it through, talk it through," LaFleur added. "He's sitting in with our defensive staff. He's been in our linebacker room going through the film, giving them a good offensive perspective.' Hackett was the Packers' offensive coordinator under LaFleur from 2019-2021. He was then hired as Broncos head coach in 2022 and was fired after a 51-14 loss to the Rams on Christmas Day with two games remaining in the season. He then served as Jets offensive coordinator in 2023, reuniting with Aaron Rodgers. He lost play-calling duties after Saleh was fired as Jets head coach midway through the 2024 season.
Yahoo
5 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bears training camp observations: Another sloppy day for the offense on Day 2
The Chicago Bears hit the practice field at Halas Hall on Thursday morning for the second practice of training camp undr new head coach Ben Johnson. It was a closed practice, but the media have started to share observations. Wednesday's workout was a rough one for the offense, but it sounds like Thursday's was just as bad, if not worse. Johnson mentioned Tuesday that it's going to be an up-and-down process during training camp, and Thursday certainly sounded like it was a struggle at times. As far as attendance goes, rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III and defensive tackle Shemar Turner were sidelined by injuries while rookie cornerback Zah Frazier was excused from practice for personal reasons, as Johnson noted before practice. Here are some observations, from media members in attendance, following Thursday's training camp practice: Another sloppy day for the offense Kiran Amegadjie gets crack with starting offense, Noah Sewell remains LB3 Rookie Kyle Monangai saw some work with the first-team offense, and he had an impressive run Nashon Wright getting more time with first-team defense in place of Jaylon Johnson 11-on-11 recap Tyson Bagent working at QB2, Ian Wheeler and Kyle Monangai are fast plus more Caleb Williams under center Highlights This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears training camp observations: Sloppy day for offense on Day 2