The Cleveland Guardians capped a stunning turnaround by completing a three-game sweep of the Houston Astros with a 4-2 victory on July 9, 2025, at Minute Maid Park. The Guardians, who entered the series on a 10-game losing skid, rode back-to-back home runs from Angel Martínez and José Ramírez to secure the win and halt Houston’s momentum in emphatic fashion.
Martínez and Ramírez set the tone early, blasting consecutive solo homers in the first inning off Astros starter Brandon Walter. Martínez’s shot to the Crawford Boxes marked his second straight game with a home run, following a grand slam in extra innings the night before that lifted Cleveland to a 10-6 victory. Just four pitches later, Ramírez connected for his third homer in as many games, giving the Guardians an immediate 2-0 lead. “Those back-to-back homers were huge,” said Guardians manager. “They gave us early momentum and set the tone for the entire game.”
The Guardians’ pitching staff then took over, with Slade Cecconi delivering a career-best performance. Cecconi (4-4) tossed seven-plus innings, allowing just two runs on five hits while striking out nine. His command and poise kept the Astros’ potent lineup in check, retiring 17 consecutive batters after the early homers. “Slade was outstanding,” the manager added. “He kept us in the game and gave us a chance to build on that early lead.”
Cleveland extended their lead to 4-0 in the seventh inning when José Ramírez and Carlos Santana hit back-to-back singles, followed by a walk from David Fry that loaded the bases. Jonathan Rodríguez then delivered a two-run single, driving in Ramírez and Santana to put the Guardians comfortably ahead. The Astros managed to chip away with a two-run rally in the eighth inning, highlighted by RBI doubles from Mauricio Dubón and José Altuve, but the deficit proved too large to overcome.
Houston’s offense struggled with runners in scoring position, going just 1-for-8 in the series, a stark contrast to their recent dominance, including a sweep of the Dodgers the previous weekend. Astros manager expressed disappointment but acknowledged the Guardians’ strong play. “They played well, especially their pitching and timely hitting,” he said. “We just couldn’t get the big hits when we needed them.”
José Ramírez’s hot streak continued, as he homered for the third straight game and now boasts four homers and seven RBIs in July. Despite dealing with a nagging Achilles injury that forced him to withdraw from the upcoming All-Star Game, Ramírez’s impact remains undeniable. “He’s been a catalyst for us,” the manager noted. “His leadership and production have been vital.”
With the sweep, the Guardians snapped their 10-game losing streak and earned their first three-game winning streak since May. The victory also dealt a blow to the AL West-leading Astros, who now face a challenging stretch ahead.
Looking forward, left-hander Logan Allen (5-7, 4.07 ERA) is set to start the opener of a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox, while the Astros prepare for a weekend series against the Texas Rangers.
In summary, the Guardians’ 4-2 win over the Astros was a testament to timely power hitting and dominant pitching. The back-to-back homers from Martínez and Ramírez set the tone, while Cecconi’s masterful outing sealed the deal. Cleveland’s remarkable turnaround from a 10-game skid to a sweep of one of baseball’s best teams highlights their resilience and potential as the season progresses.
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