NEW YORK -- Hunter Brown struck out 10 batters and allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings, while Daulton Varsho’s two-run single in the sixth inning with the bases loaded gave the Astros the lead and sent them on their way to a 3-1 win over the Mets on Friday night at Citi Field.
The Astros (68-67) improved to 3-1 during their swing through the Big Apple, with two games against the Mets remaining.
Brown became the first Houston starting pitcher to complete six innings since Hayden Wesneski on Aug. 10, a span of 14 games between quality starts. Brown gave up five hits and one walk, which was a key development. His 13.7 walk rate entering the game was the highest in the Major Leagues by pitchers who had thrown at least 70 innings.
Brown (4-3) picked up his first win since July 31. He reached double-digit strikeouts for only the third time in his career. He struck out 10 batters on May 26, 2023, vs. the Athletics and a career-high 12 on June 14, 2025, vs. Minnesota.
Mets rookie starter Christian Scott carried a one-hit shutout into the sixth before issuing three consecutive walks -- to Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve -- after one out. Varsho greeted lefty reliever Nate Lavender by hitting a soft single to score a pair and put the Astros ahead, and Yainer Diaz singled home Altuve one out later for a 3-1 lead.