The Houston Astros erased a one-run deficit and pulled away for a 6-3 win over the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on Monday, August 31, 2026. Nelson Velázquez delivered a home run and two RBI, Cam Smith went 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Bryan Abreu closed things out with a two-strikeout ninth to earn the save. The victory went nine innings, with Houston's offense doing enough damage against starter Anthony Kay to hand the Astros a three-run final margin.

Velázquez and Smith Provide the Offensive Pop

Velázquez's solo shot was the headline of the night. He went 1-for-3 with the home run and two RBI, giving Houston some insurance it needed after falling behind. Smith was steady throughout, collecting two hits in four at-bats and knocking in a pair to keep the White Sox pitching staff under pressure.

Chicago starter Anthony Kay did not survive the fifth inning. He allowed six hits, five earned runs, and two walks over 4.2 innings while striking out five. Trevor Richards followed with 2.1 solid innings — two hits, no earned runs — and Tyler Davis handled the ninth cleanly with a strikeout in one inning of work. But the damage was already done by the time Kay exited.

Peter Lambert Navigates a Shaky Start

Peter Lambert started for Houston and went 4.2 innings, striking out six and allowing two earned runs on three hits. The walk total — five free passes — kept hitters on base and put stress on the bullpen, but Lambert's strikeout rate helped him limit the damage enough to keep the game within reach.

Enyel De Los Santos took over after Lambert and threw a clean inning — no hits, no earned runs — to bridge the gap. He earned the win. Bennett Sousa followed with 1.1 innings, allowing one earned run on one hit. Steven Okert then posted a one-inning appearance with two strikeouts and no earned runs. Abreu finished it off in the ninth, working around a walk to strike out two and close out the victory.

White Sox Get Production From Montgomery, But Not Enough

Colson Montgomery was Chicago's most productive bat, going 2-for-3 with a home run and one RBI. His contributions kept the White Sox within striking distance, but the Houston bullpen held firm after the sixth inning. Chicago managed just three total runs against a parade of five Houston pitchers.

Turning Point

Houston trailed by one run at some point before turning the game around, and the key stretch came against Kay in the middle innings. Once the Astros got to him for five earned runs across his 4.2 innings, Chicago never recaptured the lead. The bullpen combination of De Los Santos, Okert, and Abreu — nine combined outs, one earned run — made the lead stand up the rest of the way.

Key Performances at a Glance

  • Nelson Velázquez: 1-for-3, 1 HR, 2 RBI
  • Cam Smith: 2-for-4, 2 RBI
  • Peter Lambert: 4.2 IP, 6 K, 2 ER, 5 BB
  • Bryan Abreu: 1.0 IP, 2 K, 0 ER (save)
  • Enyel De Los Santos: 1.0 IP, 0 ER (win)
  • Colson Montgomery (CWS): 2-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI

What's Next

The Astros and White Sox continue their series at Minute Maid Park. Houston will look to build on this result while managing a bullpen that used five arms on Monday night. Lambert's walk total bears watching as the rotation works through its next turn.