Starting in the leadoff spot for the first time in his nine-year career, Andujar homered on Colton Gordon's fifth pitch. With two out, Langeliers sent a 3-0 fastball over the train tracks in left for his 17th home run of the season.

Starting third baseman Isaac Paredes (hamstring) is on the 10-day IL, but general manager Dana Brown said on Sunday that the injury is “a little bit more severe than we projected,” via The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. That could jeopardize Houston’s first-place status if it doesn’t acquire a replacement player by Thursday’s Trade Deadline.

Jose Altuve is a veteran of 15 Major League seasons. Cam Smith is a rookie in his first. But both understand that a 162-game schedule will bring ups and downs.

PHOENIX — The Houston Astros will recall right-hander Jason Alexander to start Thursday’s series opener against the Athletics, the team announced Wednesday.

Christian Walker singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Zack Short and Taylor Trammell started the ninth with bunt singles against Kevin Ginkel (1-4).

McCullers’ injury serves as yet another blow to the Astros pitching staff. He now joins a long list of injured pitchers that includes Spencer Arrighetti, Ronel Blanco, J.P. France, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, and Hayden Wesneski.

PHOENIX — Houston Astros third baseman Isaac Paredes sustained a “pretty significant” injury to his right hamstring and will be out “a while,” manager Joe Espada said Tuesday, a blow to a lineup missing several key pieces.

The Houston Astros have dominated the American League West for most of the last decade. Outside of the COVID-19 shortened campaign in 2020, they have finished i