Isaac Paredes -- General News

The Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Guardians 9-2 on Monday night, with Isaac Paredes providing the offensive spark by hitting his first two home runs of the season. Paredes broke a 2-all tie with a leadoff homer to left field in the fourth inning, which sparked a four-run inning after 76 plate appearances without a home run. He added a solo shot in the eighth to close the scoring. Christian Walker also contributed with a two-run homer in the first inning and finished 3-for-5 with three runs, ending an 0-for-15 slump. Carlos Correa added three hits, including a two-run single that capped the fourth-inning rally.

Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (2-0) pitched five innings, allowing two runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi (0-3) was tagged for seven runs (six earned) in five innings. Brayan Rocchio went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Guardians, who had won three of their previous four games.

The victory was Houston's third win in their last 15 games, improving their record to 9-15 after opening the season at 6-3. The Astros suffered two injuries: center fielder Taylor Trammell left in the third inning with a left groin injury, and infielder Nick Allen was placed on the 10-day injured list before the game with mid-back spasms. The teams continue the series Tuesday night with Astros RHP Ryan Weiss (0-2, 6.75 ERA) facing Guardians LHP Parker Messick (3-0, 1.05 ERA), who took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against Baltimore last Thursday.

The Houston Astros defeated the Cleveland Guardians 9-2 on April 20, 2026, with Isaac Paredes breaking out of his season-long drought by hitting his first two home runs. Paredes, who had appeared 76 times at the plate without a homer, delivered a leadoff shot to left field in the fourth inning that sparked a four-run rally and gave Houston a 5-2 lead. He added a solo shot in the eighth to close the scoring. Christian Walker also contributed significantly, snapping an 0-for-15 slump with a two-run homer in the first inning and finishing 3 for 5 with three runs scored. Paredes and Carlos Correa both recorded three hits, with Correa's two-run single in the fourth inning extending the Astros' lead to 6-2.

Spencer Arrighetti pitched five innings for the Astros, allowing two runs on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts to earn the win. The victory represented just Houston's third win in their last 15 games, improving their record to 9-15 after beginning the season at 6-3. For Cleveland, Slade Cecconi took the loss, surrendering seven runs (six earned) across five innings. Brayan Rocchio went 3 for 3 with a walk for the Guardians, who had won three of their previous four games. The Astros suffered two injuries during the contest: center fielder Taylor Trammell left in the third inning with a left groin injury, and infielder Nick Allen was placed on the 10-day injured list before the game with mid-back spasms.