In a historic blow for Los Angeles, the Houston Astros triumph over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium with a remarkable score of 18-1, marking the city's worst defeat ever.
The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a historic defeat on Friday night, losing 18-1 to the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium. This marked the worst home loss in the Dodgers' history, surpassing their previous record of a 17-run loss set in 1947.
In a game that was part of a three-game series between division leaders, the Astros dominated from the start. Jose Altuve, a key player for Houston, had a standout performance with three hits, two home runs, two walks, four runs, and five RBIs. Altuve's three-run home run in the 6th inning contributed to the Astros' 10-run onslaught in that inning, a total that represents the most runs given up by the Dodgers in a single inning this century.
Ben Casparius, the Dodgers' starter, struggled in his three innings on the mound, allowing six runs on nine hits, three of which were home runs. Manager Dave Roberts expressed his disappointment about the loss, stating that there were few positives from the game. He noted that Casparius was not effective, with the Astros seeming to hit everything he threw.
Cal Raleigh, on the other hand, continued his impressive season for the Mariners, hitting two more home runs in their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This brings his season total to 35, tying Ken Griffey Jr.'s franchise record for home runs before the All-Star break.
Elsewhere in MLB, the Chicago Cubs set a franchise record with eight home runs in an 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Michael Busch hit three home runs for the Cubs in the game.
The Dodgers' loss to the Astros was particularly significant due to the teams' history. In July 2025, the Astros handed the Dodgers one of their worst losses at Dodger Stadium, with Altuve contributing significantly. The sign-stealing scandal that emerged after the 2017 World Series, which the Astros won, also added to the tension between the two teams. Altuve was booed by the crowd at Dodger Stadium due to his involvement with the Houston team and the scandal.
This historic defeat underscores the rarity and impact of such significant losses in the Dodgers' history at Dodger Stadium. The last time the Dodgers had a larger home loss was on July 3, 1947, when they were based in Brooklyn and lost 19-2 to the New York Giants at Ebbets Field. This loss represents the worst home loss since 1947 and the largest margin of defeat in the modern era for the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
In contrast to the Los Angeles Dodgers' historic defeat, the Houston Astros excelled in American football, with Jose Altuve's exceptional performance reminding sports fans of his impact, particularly in a game against the Dodgers in July 2025, when he also contributed significantly to one of their worst losses. Interestingly, the NFL, another popular sport in America, did not witness such a spectacle in this particular game, but the National Football League (NFL) has its own traditions and records to uphold.
