Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) runs to first base on a double as Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson (31) looks on during the sixth inning at Daikin Park on April 12. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston Astros Shut Out St. Louis Cardinals as Yordan Alvarez Hits Historic Home Run

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 10:55 AM ET

The Houston Astros moved to 8-9 on the young season on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis.

Hunter Brown dominated on the mound, going 6.0 shutout innings. He gave up just four hits and two walks while striking out four. He's now 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA. Josh Hader earned his fourth save of the year with a scoreless ninth.

Erick Fedde was the tough-luck loser for St. Louis, giving up just one earned run over 6.0 innings.

Yordan Alvarez provided the big blast for Houston, hitting his second home run of the year in the eighth inning to turn a 1-0 lead into a 2-0 lead.

Per Francys Romero, Alvarez now has 166 career home runs, which is tied for eighth in team history with Glenn Davis.

Yordan Alvarez tied Glenn Davis with 166 home runs, ranking 8th in Astros franchise history.pic.twitter.com/UnBNtr8ZWW
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) April 16, 2025

Alvarez, one of the best sluggers in baseball over the last several years, is out to a slow start. Along with the two homers, he's hitting just .224. He has 10 RBIs.

Lifetime, he's a .296 hitter and he's coming off a year in which he hit 35 homers and drove in 86 as the Astros won the American League West again.

Houston will be back at it again on Wednesday afternoon when they take on the Cardinals at 1:15 p.m. ET. Right-hander Ronel Blanco will take the ball against Steven Matz.

Blanco is 1-1 with a 6.94 ERA while Matz is 0-0 with a 2.31 ERA.

The Astros will be off on Thursday before playing the Padres over the weekend.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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