Houston Astros manager Joe Espada. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Astros tripped up by MLB-worst Rockies before big series

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 6:49 PM ET

The Houston Astros entered Thursday red-hot and riding an 8-2 stretch in their last 10 games. Most expected that to continue on Thursday and for the Astros to finish off the Colorado Rockies for another series sweep.

However, Major League Baseball's worst team had other plans and showed why any team can win on any given day. The Rockies put an end to Houston's three-game winning streak and avoided the sweep, beating the Astros 7-6.

Houston was never able to hold a lead or momentum. The Astros scored two quick runs in the top of the first, highlighted by Cam Smith's first extra base hit of the series.

But Colorado would tie the game in the bottom of the inning thanks to one swing of the bat from Thairo Estrada, who hit his second home run of the season. He finished the day with three hits in four at-bats and four RBI.

Tied up at✌️ pic.twitter.com/igKnZfBjnG
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 3, 2025

Oddly enough at the hitter-friendly Coors Field, Estrada hit the only home run of the day. Still, the Rockies added another run in the third and then two in the fourth and seventh.

While Smith did tie the game in the seventh for the Astros and they managed to pull within one in the ninth, the Rockies were able to eventually secure the win.

Cam Smith again! Tie game!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/aJVnPLp7bx
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 3, 2025

Colorado roughed up Brandon Walter, who made only his sixth start of 2025. He gave up five runs and eight hits in his five innings on the bump.

The Astros will now be able to turn back to the top of their rotation for their holiday weekend series. The Astros will celebrate America's Independence Day with a Fourth of July showdown with the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

To put these two teams in perspective, the Astros still hold a comfortable lead in the American League West with a 52-35 record. On the opposite end of the spectrum, with the win, the Rockies improved to just 20-67 and are a staggering 35 games behind the first-place Dodgers in the National League West.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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