19 hours ago
Cam Smith hits an RBI single in the 8th to give Astros 2-1 win over Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm strikes out against Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu pitches to Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh watches his sacrifice fly score a run to tie a baseball game against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve, right, and Cam Smith, left, celebrate after their win over the Philadelphia Phillies in a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros' Cam Smith reacts as his RBI single scores the go-ahead run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros' Cam Smith reacts as his RBI single scores the go-ahead run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm strikes out against Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu pitches to Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh watches his sacrifice fly score a run to tie a baseball game against the Houston Astros during the eighth inning Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve, right, and Cam Smith, left, celebrate after their win over the Philadelphia Phillies in a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
Houston Astros' Cam Smith reacts as his RBI single scores the go-ahead run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 26, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.
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Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz's RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.
Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.
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Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.
Key moment
Smith's RBI.
Key stat
Brown's 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.
Up next
The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.
The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) on the mound.
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