Phillies’ Offense Finally Scores, but Swept by Astros
Jun 25, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (10) runs up the first base line in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Cristopher Sanchez toed the rubber as the Phillies tried to avoid a sweep during their midday match against the Astros. Coming into the final game of the series, the Phillies had yet to score a run. Their streak was up to 19 innings of scoreless baseball for their bats. An untimely cold streak as Ranger Suarez and Zack Wheeler had tossed gems the two nights before.
With Sanchez on the bump and Houston tossing a right-hander, it was yet another great chance for the Phillies to win a ballgame and extend their division lead on the Mets.
The first few innings were similar to the two previous games. Both teams went down 1, 2, 3 in the first. The Astros pushed one across and threatened for more in the second.
Jake Meyers got it started with an infield hit to Alec Bohm. Sanchez hit Cam Smith but then retired Christian Walker with his devastating changeup. Yainer Diaz singled to score Meyers, and the Astros were in business with 1st and 3rd, 1 out.
Sanchez struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
Bryson Stott led off the third off with a funky infield single, but the following Phillies would not advance him.
Sanchez would deal with traffic on the bases in every inning after his 1, 2, 3 first. His slider and changeup were tasked with suppressing the Astros’ offense with runners on base; They would rack up nine of his ten strikeouts.
However, strikeouts came on both sides of the ball. Hunter Brown finished his sixth inning with strikeout No. 8 and 9 against Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber.
The Phillies had weak at-bats against Brown all day long. He finished his night with 9 Ks through 7 innings and only three hits.
No Phillies batter would reach second base with Brown on the mound.
Although Sanchez cannot say the same thing, he provided the Phillies with another exceptional start.
The Astros had one hit in seven opportunities with runners in scoring position. Five of those outs were strikeouts dealt by Sanchez.
He was in control.
Sanchez followed up Hunter Brown’s two-strikeout sixth with a three-strikeout sixth, two of them by means of his changeup.
It was yet another pitching duel, and the Phillies were 0-2 in those this series.
The offense has been fast asleep at the wheel. Suarez, Wheeler, and Sanchez tossed gems, and the bats did not have their back. It would have taken only three timely runs to win the series.
Sanchez made it through 6 innings and was pulled after a lead-off double in the seventh. Max Lazar came through in a big spot and cleaned up the inning.
In the eighth, the Phillies threatened to score, as they had last night. Stott and Rafael Marchan had back-to-back singles, which brought Brandon Marsh up with runners on the corners and one out.
The Phillies’ scoreless streak had finally ended at 26 and 2/3 innings, tying the game at one apiece.
There finally seemed to be a spark in this offense.
However, the Astros responded with a run off of Orion Kerkering, who has been one of the better relievers in the bullpen.
The Phillies would come up in the ninth with the heart of their lineup: Schwarber, Bohm, and Nick Castellanos.
Bryan Abreu struck out the side to seal the win and series sweep for the Houston Astros.
It was an ugly series, the type of series fans thought the Phillies had dismissed for the season, especially after their series against the Mets.
There is good news, though: the pitching was fantastic. Even the bullpen, which has been a weak spot this year, showed up in big moments for the Phillies.
It’s hard to put the blame anywhere else than the offense when they totaled one run in a whole series. Perhaps it was a cool-down from the weekend series when they racked up 21 runs.
Either way, it was ugly.
The Phillies will travel to Atlanta, who look to complete the sweep of the Mets tonight, for their next series.
The Braves will give the offense an opportunity to make a statement after such a weak showing in Houston.
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Sean Regenye
Sean Regenye is a sophomore broadcast journalism major at Penn State University. He is a die-hard Philly sports fan and loves baseball, especially the Phillies.
