Cam Smith, Nelson Velázquez deliver key blows in Astros' win over White Sox to start tough stretch
In the beginning of a stretch of 13 straight games against potential playoff teams, the Astros came through with a big win over the AL Central-leading White Sox.
The Houston Astros defeated the Chicago White Sox 6-3 on Monday night, marking the beginning of a challenging sequence of games set to determine their position in the American League West. Key contributors to the victory were Nelson Velázquez and Cam Smith, who both delivered crucial hits.
The win extended the Astros' record against opponents with a .500 or better record to a Major League-best 26-14 (.650). This improvement solidified their two-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the AL West and widened the gap to six games over the Seattle Mariners, the defending division champions. The Astros also reduced the gap to the White Sox to just 2 ½ games, securing the second seed in the postseason with a bye past the wild-card round.
The Astros took an early lead in the fourth inning, following a pitching change from Anthony Kay to Trevor Richards. Velázquez responded with a two-run home run, hitting off the barrier just below the train tracks in left field. Smith then added to the lead with a two-run double in the following inning. The White Sox pulled Richards in an unsuccessful attempt to change the momentum of the game.
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