Walker and Paredes hit HRs, 4 pitchers combine for shutout as Astros beat Rays 2-0

AP logo
Sunday, July 5, 2026 11:08PM
ABC13 Houston 24/7 Live Stream

HOUSTON -- Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes hit solo home runs, and four pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout, and the Houston Astros beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 on Sunday.

Walker led off the fourth inning with his 20th home run of the season, giving him five consecutive 20-homer seasons. Paredes hit his 12th homer to leadoff the sixth.

Peter Lambert (7-5) struck out six while he allowed three hits and walked one over 5 2/3 innings. He was removed with a runner on second base, but Steven Okert got pinch-hitter Ryan Vilade to fly out to end the threat.

Okert pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning, and Bryan King worked around a leadoff single in the eighth before Josh Hader overcame a leadoff walk in the ninth for his ninth save. Hader has allowed one run and two hits over 15 innings this season.

Mason Englert (0-2) allowed two runs and five hits with a career-high nine strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings after being recalled from Triple-A Durham before the game. Cam Booser and Craig Kimbrel followed and combined to hold the Astros scoreless for 2 1/3 innings.

The Rays have lost back-to-back games after winning nine straight.

Yordan Alvarez was 0 for 4 after hitting two home runs, including a walk-off homer in a 10-8 win Saturday.

Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Related Topics