The Astros, having lost Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker, without Alvarez since early May, with seven starting pitchers on the IL & five members of their Opening Day lineup on the IL, are currently tied for the best record in AL. Joe Espada is making strong Manager of Year case.

Justin Verlander wins by team: Tigers 183 Astros 73 Mets 6 Giants 1

Ketel Marte hits Brandon Walter's first pitch to Tempe.

The Astros have allowed the opposition to score the first run of the game in 14 consecutive games. Houston hasn't scored first since July 4.

The Astros have rallied to take the lead in the sixth on an error and a wild pitch, because of course they have.

That had to feel good for Christian Walker.

The Astros beat the D-backs, 4-3, sweeping the three-game series in Arizona for their fourth win in a row. The Mariners lost, so the AL West lead is back to 6 games. The Astros currently have the best record in the AL at 60-42. Incredible.

Jason Alexander will start tomorrow for Astros. Nick Hernandez optioned

Astros manager Joe Espada has his team atop the American League

Christian Walker on his Arizona homecoming: "It was great to see everybody. A lot of lifetime friends you make in this game. You play with a lot of people for a long time, great relationships. But, yeah, it's good to come back. It's good to win. I feel like I'm very much locked

Christian Walker: "We’re only going to keep getting better as guys come back off the IL and we’re having fun, we trust each other and we know it’s hard to beat the Astros, for sure.”

Astros signed 18 of 19 Draft picks and some non-drafted free agents

Locked in as an Astro. We have officially signed Xavier Neyens, our 2025 first round draft pick.

1st-rder Xavier Neyens signs w/@Astros for $4,120,000 (slot 21 value minus $2,500 contingency bonus). Washington prep SS/3B, huge power, good athleticism for 6-4/210, up to 95 mph on mound, comps to lefty-hitting version of Austin Riley. Oregon State recruit. MLB Draft

7th-rder Jase Mitchell signs w/@Astros for $797,500 (slot 216 value = $267,700). Delaware prep C, strong lefty-hitter catcher w/plus raw pop, strong arm too. Kentucky recruit. MLB Draft

3rd-rder Ethan Frey signs w/@Astros for $997,500 (slot 95 value = $803,900). LSU Baseball OF, posted best batting line (.331/.420/.641) on national champions, physically imposing (6-6/225), good approach & athlete. MLB Draft

The undermanned Astros sweep the Diamondbacks to claim a share of the best record in the AL. “We’re really happy about that, but there’s still a lot of baseball to play,” Espada said. mlb.com/news/astros-sw…

Umpire: Brian Walsh Final: Astros 4, D-backs 3 #BuiltForThis // #Dbacks #HOUvsAZ // #AZvsHOU More stats for this ump 👇 umpscorecards.com/data/single-um…