REMEMBERING J.R. RICHARD
Astros pitching legend J.R. Richard passes away
Aug 5, 2021, 4:03 pm
Richard throws out the first pitch before the Astros played the Reds on June 1, 2012. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
Iconic Houston Astros pitcher J.R. Richard, who played all 10 seasons of his MLB career in Houston, has died, the team announced on Thursday, August 5.
The right-handed pitcher, who began his major league playing career in 1971, is the latest passing involving a member of the team's Hall of Fame.
"J.R. will forever be remembered as an intimidating figure on the mound and as one of the greatest pitchers in club history. He stood shoulder to shoulder with club icons Larry Dierker, Joe Niekro and Nolan Ryan, to form a few of the best rotations in club history," the Astros said in a statement.
The Astros also mentioned his abrupt retirement in 1980 after he suffered a stroke in the middle of that season.
Astros Hall of Fame starting pitcher J.R. Richard, one of the greatest players to don an Astros uniform, has passed away. He was 71 years old. pic.twitter.com/ylqq2nPQMi
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 5, 2021
The team, which is slated to induct its next class of the Astros Hall of Fame this coming weekend, said it will hold a moment of silence before Thursday night's game at Minute Maid Park.
Richard's career will also be recognized as part of the hall of fame induction ceremony prior to Saturday's game.
Richard was 71 years old.
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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.