Smith and Diaz hit 3-run homers as Astros beat Cubs 7-4, extend win streak to 5 games
HOUSTON (AP) — Cam Smith hit a three-run homer in his first game against the Cubs since being traded to Houston and Brandon Walter threw six solid innings in his first MLB victory as the Astros beat Chicago 7-4 on Friday night.
Yainer Diaz added a three-run homer as AL West-leading Houston extended its winning streak to five games.
The Astros scored four runs in the third off Cubs starter Cade Horton (3-2), with Jose Altuve scoring on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini before Diaz capped the inning with his 377-foot shot to left-center.
Smith, a first-round draft selection by Chicago last year was acquired by the Astros in the offseason as part of the deal for Kyle Tucker, extended Houston's lead to 7-0 in the fourth with his home run off the left field façade, his sixth of the season. Smith had two hits and scored two runs.
Walter (1-1), a 28-year-old left-hander, allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Josh Hader got the final out for his 22nd save.
Jeremy Peña exited in the fifth with left rib soreness. He was hit by a pitch in his left side in the second. There was no immediate word on the extent of his injury.
Nico Hoerner hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Matt Shaw added a two-run double in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth for NL Central-leading Chicago.
Horton allowed seven runs on eight hits with four walks in four innings.
Tucker was hitless in his return to Houston. He kept the game scoreless in the first, throwing Isaac Paredes out at the plate to end the frame.
Key moment
Hader inducing a lineout to center by Ian Happ to end it with Tucker, representing the tying run, on deck.
Key stat
Houston has its second five-game winning streak for the month of June, and improved to an MLB-best 18-6 this month.
Up next
Cubs RHP Colin Rea (4-3, 4.42 ERA) starts the second game of the three-game series Saturday. Houston has not named a starter.
___
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
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Pass Catcher Predicted 'League-Winning WR' in Fantasy Football
Buccaneers' Pass Catcher Predicted 'League-Winning WR' in Fantasy Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans has been underestimated throughout his entire pro career. All he's done is exceed expectations each and every campaign since being drafted by the Bucs. Advertisement Even after missing three games last season with a hamstring issue, Evans continued his record streak of 11 straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving. This season, while many may be once again undervaluing his season at the age of 30, he's expected to excel in your fantasy football league. Derek Brown of Fantasy Pros thinks Evans will once again surpass expectations in your fantasy league. "Mike Evans has finished no lower than WR13 in fantasy points per game over the last four years, and he didn't show any signs of slowing down last year," Brown wrote. "While he has dealt with hamstring issues in each of the last three years, he has never played less than 14 games in any season. Last year, Evans ranked 23rd in target share, fifth in yards per route run, 16th in receiving yards per game, fourth in route win rate, and second in separation (per Fantasy Points Data). Evans is primed to produce as a WR1 again in 2025." Advertisement Evans has tallied at least 11 touchdowns in four of the past five years while finding the end zone 57 times during that period. The former Texas A&M Aggies pass catcher has never caught less than 70 passes in a season and has been targeted at least 110 times in 10 of the last 11 years. The last time he averaged less than 14 yards per catch was in 2016. You can continue to underestimate Evans' value in your fantasy league, but it'll be your own fault if you don't draft him early. Related: Todd Bowles and Jason Licht React to Buccaneers' Contract Extensions Related: Todd Bowles and Jason Licht React to Buccaneers' Contract Extensions This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Was Better Last Season In One Key Passing Stat
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Was Better Last Season In One Key Passing Stat originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has completely turned his career trajectory around since arriving in town ahead of the 2023 season. Advertisement Replacing legend and seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady is no easy proposition, but Mayfield's transition in Tampa Bay has been seamless. Posting two career seasons since being signed by general manager Jason Licht, Mayfield has helped the Bucs to a record-tying four straight NFC South titles and five playoff appearances in a row. But last season, we saw a part of Baker's game improve that might not have been anticipated. Pro Football Focus measured each quarterback's release rate last season, and Mayfield proved to have the third-most attempts in the league in releasing the ball in under 2.5 seconds. "Baker Mayfield's transition in Tampa Bay is a prime example, as his time to throw has decreased over the past two seasons compared to his previous three, resulting in increased production," Mason Cameron wrote. "This past season, Mayfield recorded 335 attempts in under 2.5 seconds — more than in any season he played outside of Tampa. He posted an 85.8% adjusted completion percentage and 29 touchdowns on such plays in 2024, both of which led the NFL." Advertisement Mayfield has been named to the Pro Bowl for the first and second times in his career since joining the Bucs. In 2023, he posted career highs in yards (4,044), touchdowns (28) and completion percentage (64.3). That earned him a three-year, $100 million deal from Licht and the team, and last season, he bested those career numbers by a lot with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and a 71.4 completion percentage. Baker has built on the previous year each season with the Bucs, and that trend could continue in 2025. Related: Buccaneers' Pass Catcher Predicted 'League-Winning WR' in Fantasy Football Related: Analyst Names Buccaneers Third-Round Pick as Potential Cut Candidate This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
High-Priced Buccaneers Cornerback Could be Trade Bait Ahead of 2025
High-Priced Buccaneers Cornerback Could be Trade Bait Ahead of 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Just a day after we wrote about Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean possibly being a cut candidate for the team, he's being named in a suggested trade. Advertisement The reason for him being a potential cut candidate isn't because of declining skills, but two other reasons. He's entering Year 3 of a four-year, $52 million deal and carries a massive $15 million cap hit next year. The Bucs also invested heavily on two corners in Round 2 and Round 3 of the draft this season. It's because all of those factors that he could be either a cut candidate or, even better, on the trade block. CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin thinks the Las Vegas Raiders would be interested in acquiring Dean in a trade. 'Dean's six-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers includes a Super Bowl title and big-money extension, but the veteran has been frequently mentioned as a potential cut or trade candidate due to a $15 million 2025 cap hit, almost all of which the Bucs could clear from their books by dealing Dean elsewhere. Even if Dean is more serviceable than special at a lofty price,' Benjamin said. 'The Bucs are trying to defend their NFC South crown, and jettisoning such an experienced corner would put immediate pressure on rookie corners like Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish to have a playoff-caliber impact.' Advertisement Dean is also scheduled for a $15.7 million cap hit in 2026. That's a lot of money for a guy who might be relegated to a backup role at some point. It's a big decision for general manager Jason Licht, and could be dictated by the performance of some of this year's rookie class. Related: Analyst Names Buccaneers Third-Round Pick as Potential Cut Candidate Related: Buccaneers' Pass Catcher Predicted 'League-Winning WR' in Fantasy Football This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
