The loss was just the fifth in the past 21 games for the Astros, who had won the first two games of the series.

To put these two teams in perspective, the Astros still hold a comfortable lead in the American League West with a 52-35 record. On the opposite end of the spectrum, with the win, the Rockies improved to just 20-67 and are a staggering 35 games behind the first-place Dodgers in the National League West.

The Astros are heavily favored (-286 on the moneyline) when they square off against the Rockies (+230). The Houston Astros will give the start to Brandon Walter (1-1, 3.34 ERA), who is looking for win No.

Yordan Alvarez received two injections in his injured hand and will be shut down from baseball activities for "the upcoming days."

Alvarez first experienced issues with his hand in late April but stayed in the lineup. He was initially diagnosed with a muscle strain but a small fracture was discovered at the end of May.

Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez's setback to his recovery from a fractured right hand is not as serious as first feared, general manager Dana Brown said Thursday.