The Houston Astros' manager Joe Espada and infielder Jose Altuve defended a pitch that led to a game-winning grand slam by Baltimore Orioles' Anthony Santander, despite the 7-5 loss. Santander's grand slam, his third homer in the past ten games, came off a high fastball from Bryan Abreu, who gave up five runs in just one-third of an inning. The Astros maintain a lead in the AL West despite this setback and a neck injury to slugger Yordan Alvarez. Rookie Spencer Arrighetti has been a bright spot, delivering six scoreless innings in a dominant 6-0 win over Baltimore, showcasing the depth and resilience of Houston's roster. Arrighetti's performance underlines the Astros' ability to overcome injuries and maintain their winning culture. Baltimore, with a strong offense against left-handed pitchers, continues to pose a significant challenge for Houston in this potential postseason preview.