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Astros Rout Dodgers 18-1 for Record Home Loss, Clinch Series in LA

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Updated Jul 6, 2025, 05:11 AM

The Houston Astros overwhelmed the Los Angeles Dodgers 18-1 on Friday night, handing the defending champions their largest defeat in Dodger Stadium’s 63-year history and their worst home loss since the franchise fell 19-2 to the New York Giants in Brooklyn in 1947.

Jose Altuve powered the rout with a 3-for-3 night that included two home runs, two walks and five RBIs. Victor Caratini’s grand slam highlighted a 10-run sixth inning, while Christian Walker drove in four more runs as Houston compiled 18 hits. Lance McCullers Jr. limited Los Angeles to a solo shot by Will Smith over six innings. Dodgers rookie Ben Casparius was charged with six runs in three frames, and reliever Noah Davis surrendered ten more in the decisive sixth.

The defeat dropped Los Angeles to 56-33, a sharp reversal after Clayton Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout earlier in the week. Houston improved to 53-25 and has now won 27 of its past 37 games, tightening its grip on the American League West lead.

Houston followed the blowout with a 6-4 victory on Saturday, striking for four runs in the third inning and closing it out with a four-out save from Josh Hader to clinch the three-game set. The Astros will attempt a sweep of the series on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.

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