Altuve delivers at the plate as Astros cruise past Angels
Sep 1, 2025, 7:03 pm
The Astros beat the Angels, 8-3. Composite Getty Image.
Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and an RBI single and Ramón Urías also went deep to back up a strong start from Luis Garcia, leading the Houston Astros to an 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.
Ramon Urias makes it 1-0, Astros!
Join us for some Labor Day baseball on SCHN!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/0yQO4HW55u
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) September 1, 2025
Garcia (1-0) got the win in his return after sitting out more than two years while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He allowed three hits and three runs with six strikeouts in six innings in his first start since May 1, 2023.
The game was tied with one out in the fifth when Yordan Alvarez singled before moving to second on a groundout by Altuve. Carlos Correa then singled on a grounder to center field to score Alvarez and give Houston a 4-3 lead.
Cam Smith singled with two outs in the sixth to chase Yusei Kikuchi (6-10) before stealing second base. Mauricio Dubón walked and Jeremy Peña’s second double of the day scored Smith to make it 5-3.
Alvarez added an RBI single in the eighth before Altuve’s homer made it 8-3.
Altuve caught up with Julia Morales after the win!
After today's 8-3 win over the Angels, Jose Altuve visited with @JuliaMorales!
The Astros are back in action tomorrow and it's a special one as it's our annual @astros Charity Game with coverage beginning at 6:00!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/6RidLfKo3r
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) September 1, 2025
Zach Neto hit a solo home run and Jo Adell added a two-run shot for the Angels, whose two-game winning streak was snapped.
Garcia retired the first nine batters before Neto homered to open the fourth inning. Mike Trout singled with one out before Adell launched his 31st homer into the seats in left field to put the Angels on top 3-2.
Kikuchi gave up eight hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Key moment
Correa’s RBI single in the fifth put Houston on top for good.
For the lead!#TheNextFrontier pic.twitter.com/1CIjdhPevq
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 1, 2025
Key stat
The Astros improved to 18-9 this season in games started by a left-hander.
Up next
The Angels haven’t announced their starter for Tuesday night’s game at Kansas City.
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (12-7, 3.18 ERA) opposes LHP Max Fried (14-5, 3.06) in the opener of a series against the Yankees on Tuesday night.
Cristian Javier didn’t give up a hit in six innings and three relievers completed the two-hitter to help the Houston Astros to a 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels Friday night.
Javier struck out six, walked three and threw 85 pitches in six innings. He was making his fourth start of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024.
He was relieved by Enyel De Los Santos (5-3) who gave up a double to Yoan Moncada for the Angels’ first hit of the game, but secured the win.
Kaleb Ort secured a four-out save — his first save of the season — after relieving Craig Kimbrel in the eighth. Kimbrel walked three and threw eight strikes in 25 pitches. Ort secured a fly out from Jo Adell to end the eighth, then finished with a perfect ninth.
Carlos Correa broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single in the seventh that scored Yordan Alvarez. The Astros were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position before that hit off losing pitcher Luis García Jr. (2-1).
Alvarez drove in a second run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Cam Smith, who walked earlier in the inning.
Key moment
Before Correa’s single, Alvarez reached first base on a fielding error by second baseman Christian Moore. He scored after advancing on a bloop single from Jose Altuve.
Key stat
Javier’s six no-hit innings are tied for second-longest no-hit outing of his career with a nine-strikeout performance in the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. His career best was a seven-inning performance against the New York Yankees on June 25, 2022.
Up next
The Astros will send RHP Spencer Arrighetti (1-5, 6.21 ERA) to the mound against Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (6-9, 5.04) on Saturday.