Astros crush Angels to win in Mexico
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 3 hits from the 14-2 win
May 4, 2019, 9:26 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
After dropping three of four in Minnesota against the Twins to start the week, Houston traveled to Mexico for a two-game international series against the Angels in Monterrey. Here's a recap of the series opener from Saturday night and three hits from the game:
Final Score: Astros 14, Angels 2
Record: 19-14, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Wade Miley (2-2, 3.20 ERA)
Losing pitcher: Trevor Cahill (1-3, 6.95 ERA)
1) Scoring early and often
Alex Bregman started the game on the right foot for Houston, hitting an opposite-field solo home run to start the scoring in the top of the first to grab a 1-0 lead. They would continue to score in each of the first six innings of the game, getting a sacrifice fly from Tyler White, two-run home run from George Springer, two runs from Yuli Gurriel on a solo home run and RBI-triple, and four big runs off the bat of Michael Brantley, two on a home run in the third then two more on a two-RBI double to give Houston a 10-2 lead after six innings.
They'd go scoreless in the seventh, then picked right back up in the eighth on a sac fly from Springer then Bregman's second homer of the night, this time a three-run homer to extend the lead to twelve runs at 14-2.
2) Quality start for Miley
With the game in Monterrey, a higher elevation town with a warm/humid climate, a high run total was expected in this matchup. However, it was not expected to be so one-sided, and Wade Miley did a great job accounting for that on the mound. Miley allowed just two runs over his six innings of work, one being Albert Pujols' usual toll against Houston with a solo home run. Overall he allowed the two runs on six hits to go along with two walks and two strikeouts. Miley did have a scary moment in the game when a ball off the bat of Mike Trout was lined right at him, but it hit in an opportune spot on his shoulder, avoiding any significant damage.
3) Bullpen wraps things up
With Miley done after six two-run innings, the Astros went to their bullpen to finish off the lopsided game. Hector Rondon worked around a couple of walks in the bottom of the seventh to throw a scoreless inning, then Ryan Pressly extended his phenomenal streak of consecutive scoreless innings by working around a couple of singles in the eighth. Josh James took over in the ninth and closed out the twelve-run win.
Up Next: Weather permitting, Houston and Los Angeles will wrap up this quick two-game series in Monterrey tomorrow at 3:00 PM. Justin Verlander (4-1, 2.45 ERA) will get the start for Houston and will go up against Matt Harvey (1-2, 6.54 ERA) for the Angels.
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
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Jason Heyward hit a two-run homer early and Jon Singleton had three hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in Houston’s four-run eighth inning, and the Astros got a 6-3 win over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.
SAY HEY!!#Relentless pic.twitter.com/fqAiUHHdNh
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Brent Rooker homered off Ryan Pressly (2-3) with one out in the eighth to tie it at 2-all.
Yainer Diaz and Kyle Tucker hit consecutive singles with one out in the eighth to chase T.J. McFarland (2-3) and bring on Grant Holman. There were two outs in the inning when Singleton’s single to center field scored Diaz to put the Astros on top.
Jake Meyers followed with a run-scoring double before the Athletics intentionally walked Heyward to load the bases. Mauricio Dubón singled on a ground ball to left field to score two more, pushing the lead to 6-2.
Tyler Nevin hit a solo homer off Josh Hader with one out in the ninth before the closer retired the next two batters to end it.
Houston’s Framber Valdez allowed five hits and a run with six strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings to help the Astros avoid a three-game sweep and snap a three-game skid with the victory.
La Grasa had himself a day.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/LvGeKBAoqA
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 12, 2024
Oakland starter Mitch Spence permitted seven hits and two runs in seven innings.
Singleton hit a ground-rule double with one out in the second before Heyward smacked a line drive into the second row in right field for his first home run as an Astro to make it 2-0.
It was the third hit in 12 games with Houston for Heyward, who signed with the Astros Aug. 29 after being released by the Dodgers.
Jacob Wilson doubled to open the seventh and moved to third on a ground out by Nevin. The Athletics cut the lead to 1 when Wilson scored on a single by Daz Cameron that chased Valdez.
Bryan Abreu took over and pinch-hitter Seth Brown grounded into a double play on his second pitch to preserve the lead.
Lawrence Butler doubled with one out in the third to extend his career-long hitting streak to 20 games.
Singleton doubled again to start Houston’s fourth before Spence sat down the next 11 Astros. Houston’s next base runner came on a double by Dubón with two outs in the seventh and Alex Bregman grounded out to leave him stranded.
Trainer’s Room
Athletics: 1B Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist injury) is scheduled to come off the injured list Friday for the start of a series against the White Sox.
Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was out of the lineup Thursday, a day after leaving in the fifth inning with discomfort in his right side. Manager Joe Espada said he was feeling better Thursday and that he is listed as day to day.
Up Next
Athletics: LHP Brady Basso (0-0, 1.93 ERA) will start for Oakland against LHP Garrett Crochet (6-11, 3.83) in the opener of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox Friday night.
Astros: Houston LHP Yusei Kikuchi (8-9, 4.31) opposes LHP Samuel Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45) in the first of three games against the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.