Yankees vs. Astros Thriller: Final Score, Must-See Highlights & What It Means for the AL Playoff Race

NEW YORK — The Houston Astros edged the New York Yankees 5-3 in 10 innings Friday night at Yankee Stadium, taking the opener of a pivotal three-game set between American League contenders. Carlos Correa’s RBI single off struggling reliever Devin Williams plated automatic runner José Altuve, and Taylor Trammell followed with a two-run homer that proved decisive in extra frames. Hunter Brown limited New York to two runs over 5⅓ innings, outdueling Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler, while closer Josh Hader locked down his sixth win despite allowing an RBI single to Anthony Volpe in the home half of the 10th. Key moments and numbers • First-inning jolt: Altuve belted a two-run homer three batters into the game, his 17th of the season, giving Houston an early cushion. • Sixth-inning response: Ben Rice’s RBI double and Aaron Judge’s game-tying single snapped Brown’s run of 14 straight Yankees retired. • Williams’ woes: The All-Star right-hander has now yielded nine runs in his last five outings as his ERA climbed to 5.73. “I’m not making pitches. I stink right now,” Williams admitted afterward. • Attendance: 46,027 packed Yankee Stadium for the latest chapter of the Yankees vs Astros rivalry. Standings impact Houston (65-51) maintained its lead atop the AL West, while New York (61-55) slipped 6½ games behind first-place Toronto in the AL East and clings to the final Wild Card spot. What’s next Saturday’s matinee features left-hander Framber Valdez (11-5, 2.83) for Houston against hard-throwing righty Luis Gil (0-1, 13.50) for New York as the Yankees try to even the series and regain momentum before Sunday’s finale. With the postseason race tightening, every Yankees Astros game now carries October implications—setting up another high-stakes clash in the Bronx this weekend.