Houston opened the scoring in the second inning. Taylor Trammell doubled to right field to drive in Christian Walker, giving Astros starter Cristian Javier an early run to work with.
The Phillies tied it in the fifth when Bryson Stott reached on a fielder’s choice that brought Luis Arraez home. Alec Bohm was retired at third on the play. That run was the only damage charged to Javier, who completed six innings with five strikeouts, one walk and three hits allowed.
Zack Wheeler matched him closely for Philadelphia. Wheeler worked seven innings, allowed one run and struck out nine. Neither starter was on the mound when the game was finally decided.
Houston’s relievers kept the score level long enough for Smith’s homer to matter. Bennett Sousa, Bryan Abreu and Hader each delivered a scoreless inning. Abreu struck out three, and the Astros’ staff finished with nine strikeouts in total.
The Astros left seven runners on base before securing the win, a reminder that their hit advantage had not translated into much scoring. Smith’s late drive finally made it count.
Smith finished 2-for-3 with a walk, making him one of two Houston hitters with multiple hits. Jose Altuve went 2-for-4 with a double. Trammell’s run-scoring double was Houston’s other extra-base hit before Smith supplied the decisive homer.
Philadelphia’s three hits came from Justin Crawford, Alec Bohm and Luis Arraez. Bohm had the Phillies’ only extra-base hit, a double. Wheeler allowed two walks during his seven innings; José Alvarado then worked a scoreless eighth before Duran gave up the winning run. Houston had more opportunities throughout the night, but Philadelphia’s pitching kept the outcome open until Smith’s final swing.
Houston improved to 75–72, while Philadelphia fell to 82–65. The Phillies received seven strong innings from Wheeler, but their offense could not produce the second run that would have changed the ninth inning’s stakes.
