Can the pitching carry the load for Houston? Composite Getty Image.
The Astros salvaged their series with the Angels by earning a split in Monday’s finale, and while it wasn’t a statement win, it was an important one. After struggling mightily with runners in scoring position, the offense finally broke through, plating eight runs in the finale. With the Mariners and Rangers pushing hard in the AL West race, and the Blue Jays and Tigers also within reach in the standings, every game feels like it carries extra weight. Houston’s path won’t get any easier, with the Yankees, Rangers, and Blue Jays all looming on the schedule.
If there’s a silver lining beyond the bats showing life, it’s the rotation. Houston’s starters delivered a strong series against Los Angeles — each going at least six innings and holding the Angels to no more than three runs. After a summer of inconsistency, the staff looks like it may finally have enough to anchor the stretch run.
The offense, however, remains a work in progress. Houston ranks just 11th in the AL in runs scored, a reflection of key injuries and slumps. Yordan Alvarez’s extended absence has been the biggest blow, but Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa have also hit a rough patch. Over the last 15 days, Altuve is batting .216 while Correa is slugging only .294, with just six extra-base hits since his return. A turnaround from that duo, combined with a fully healthy Alvarez, could spark a much-needed surge. The possible return of Jake Meyers in the coming days would also deepen the lineup.
One reason for optimism: the Astros have handled left-handed pitching well, going 18-9 this season against southpaw starters. That will be tested immediately with the Yankees sending Max Fried and Carlos Rodón to the mound this week. And with the Rangers’ top-flight pitching staff waiting right after New York, the timing couldn’t be better for the offense to find its stride.
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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.
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