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Houston Astros may be employing next-level gamesmanship, and we’re here for it
Oct 31, 2022, 4:56 pm
Houston Astros employing NEXT LEVEL gamesmanship in World Series and we’re here for it!
Astros pitcher Framber Valdez received a lot of attention after Game 2 of the World Series for the way he rubbed down the baseball in between pitches. With the thought being, he's using an illegal substance to gain an advantage against the opponent. This behavior isn't something that's really new for Framber, but with all the eyes on Houston during the World Series, he is now receiving a higher level of scrutiny.
Plus, catcher Martin Maldonado has been told by MLB he can no longer use the bat Albert Pujols gave him, as this bat is no longer legal to use in MLB unless you were grandfathered in like Pujols. With so many concerns from Philly about the Astros and their reputation over the last several years, could Framber be taking advantage of the situation and leaning into the narrative just to make the Phillies and their fans waste time worrying about a non-issue? Pretty crafty if you ask us.
Check out the video above to learn more!
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.