Astros get a shutout win against the Angels
Astros daily report presented by APG&E: 2 hits from the 4-0 win
Sep 27, 2019, 11:45 pm
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images
With a tough loss on Thursday to start this final four-game series of the season, Houston looked to extend their franchise-record winning season and stay on top of the race for home-field advantage through the World Series. Here is a quick look at Friday's game in Los Angeles against the Angels:
Final Score: Astros 4, Angels 0.
Record: 105-55, first in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Jose Urquidy (2-1, 3.95 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Patrick Sandoval (0-4, 5.03 ERA).
1) Urquidy builds trust with six shutout innings
While Wade Miley was unable to put together an impressive enough start the night before to fully secure trust in him as the fourth starter in Houston's rotation, Jose Urquidy took advantage of an opportunity on Friday night. He gave his team six shutout innings, showcasing his upside as a possible starter.
While it may not have won him the fourth spot in the playoff rotation since Wade Miley may still receive the benefit of the doubt, it was nonetheless a welcome sight to see him perform well. Urquidy's final line: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR.
2) Bregman and Brantley provide the offense
On the other side, the Astros were not able to put up much offense either in the early goings of the game, save a solo home run by Alex Bregman to lead off the top of the second which gave Houston the 1-0 lead they held through Urquidy's six innings and beyond.
6 homers in 11 games. @ABREG_1 is locked in. pic.twitter.com/eeouDL9xoH
— MLB (@MLB) September 28, 2019
Ryan Pressly took to the mound in the bottom of the seventh and had a quick 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. In the top of the eighth, the Astros were able to tack on to their lead after putting two runners on to set up a three-run homer for Michael Brantley to make it 4-0 Houston.
In the bottom of that inning, Will Harris tossed three strikeouts on nine pitches, all pitches resulting in strikes swinging or looking, an immaculate inning. Josh James closed things out in the ninth, securing home-field advantage for the Astros through at least the American League playoffs.
Up Next: Justin Verlander (20-6, 2.53 ERA) will make his final, likely abbreviated, start on Saturday as the Astros play the Angels again at 8:07 PM. Jose Suarez (2-4, 7.34 ERA) is the expected starter for Los Angeles.
The Astros daily report is presented by APG&E.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
How big of an impact will he have? Photo via: Wiki Commons.
Nick Chubb has officially passed his physical and joined the Texans for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday — and with that, Houston’s running back room just got a lot more compelling.
In this episode, we dive into what Chubb’s arrival could mean for the entire backfield, starting with Joe Mixon, who was reportedly in a walking boot this offseason. With questions swirling about health, roles, and long-term upside, the Texans suddenly have a lot to sort out in one of the league’s most intriguing RB rotations.
We explore whether Chubb is a true upgrade over Mixon, if the Texans are making a smart bet on his comeback, and how much of his 2024 production can be chalked up to injury recovery. Plus, we break down how Dameon Pierce fits into all of this — and who might ultimately be the best option behind a potentially limited Mixon.
Texans fans — is Nick Chubb the X-factor this team needs, or just another name in a crowded backfield? Let’s get into it. ESPN Houston's Jeremy Branham and Joel Blank break it all down!
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!