COUNTER ATTACK
Here’s how Houston Astros stack up after Rangers aggressive trades
Jul 31, 2023, 3:46 pm
Here’s how Houston Astros stack up after Rangers aggressive trades
The MLB trade deadline is almost upon us, and we've already seen a flurry of moves with the Texas Rangers going all in to make a run this season. The Rangers now have a rotation with Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery, while the Astros have only made one trade, adding relief pitcher Kendall Graveman.
The Astros are rumored to have interest in acquiring Justin Verlander from the Mets, but Houston GM Dana Brown recently stated that adding another starting pitcher is not a priority.
Is Dana Brown just keeping his cards close to the vest? Is he trying to temper Verlander expectations, especially if owner Jim Crane is out on a JV reunion, simply because of his high price contract?
And if the Astros hold tight, do they have enough firepower to win the division over the Rangers?
Be sure to check out the video above as we shine light on these pressing questions.
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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.