Nelson Velázquez’s 2-run single in the 8th inning gives Astros 2-0 win over White Sox

By: The Associated Press Posted: 9:54 PM CDT Wednesday, Sep. 2, 2026

HOUSTON (AP) — Nelson Velázquez hit a two-run single in the eighth inning to break a scoreless tie, Hayden Wesneski and two relievers combined on a three-hitter and the Houston Astros defeated the Chicago White Sox 2-0 on Wednesday night.

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With one out in the eighth, Yordan Alvarez singled and Isaac Paredes walked before Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Pinch-runner Nick Allen was thrown out at home trying to score on a grounder by Daulton Varsho back to Sean Newcomb (2-4) before Velázquez laced his single into left-center field.

Wesneski allowed one hit with five strikeouts over seven shutout innings. He has allowed one run and five hits over his last three starts, a span of 17 innings. A.J. Blubaugh (5-2) gave up two hits in the eighth before Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 22nd save.

Houston Astros' Nelson Velázquez hits a two-run single against the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Wesneski retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced, including 12 straight between a one-out walk to Sam Antonacci in the third and a one-out walk to Braden Montgomery in the seventh.

Davis Martin scattered five hits with three strikeouts over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his first start since Aug. 13. Martin, who had been on the 15-day injured list with a right middle finger blister, was activated before the game.

The White Sox had several chances to score in the eighth, but came up empty. Tristan Peters hit a leadoff triple, but was thrown out at home two batters later while trying to score on a groundout by Antonacci to shortstop Jeremy Peña. Munetaka Murakami singled to load the bases with one out, but Miguel Vargas grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Up next

RHP Luis Castillo (4-10, 5.31 ERA) starts Thursday for the White Sox opposite RHP Hunter Brown (4-3, 3.33 ERA) for the Astros in the finale of the four-game series.