Houston finishes the day at 17-14
Astros win series against Angels after splitting doubleheader
Aug 25, 2020, 9:45 pm
Houston finishes the day at 17-14
Astros Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve
Due to Hurricane Laura looming in the Gulf of Mexico, the Astros and Angels expedited their series by having a doubleheader on Tuesday to move through two games in one day, along with postponing Wednesday's game. After winning the opener on Monday, Houston would try to sweep the now three-game series by taking both of the two seven-inning games. Here is a recap of the two games:
Final Score (7 innings): Astros 6, Angels 3.
Record: 17-13, second in the AL West.
Winning pitcher: Cristian Javier (3-1, 3.77 ERA).
Losing pitcher: Jose Suarez (0-2, 38.57 ERA).
Houston went hard after Jose Suarez in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1, scoring five runs on five hits and an error, including an RBI-single by Josh Reddick and a two-RBI single by Jack Mayfield. The game remained 5-0 until the bottom of the fourth, when Jose Altuve would walk with one out then scored from first on a long RBI-double by Yuli Gurriel, extending the lead to 6-0.
After cruising through the first four innings without allowing a hit, the Angels would finally break through against Cristian Javier in the top of the fifth. A leadoff walk would come around to score on an RBI-single by Jason Castro, the first hit of the day for Los Angeles.
They added another that inning on an RBI-double, then led off the top of the sixth with a solo home run to make it a three-run game at 6-3. Still, Javier did his job by pitching most of the seven-inning game. His final line: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5K, 1 HR, 89P.
Blake Taylor came on to get the final out of the sixth inning for Javier, then with the score 6-3 going to the top of the seventh, Houston would bring out Ryan Pressly for the save situation. He would collect the save, erasing a leadoff single by retiring the next three batters. The win moved the Astros to 17-13 at the halfway point of the 60-game season.
During Thursday night's loss to the Golden State Warriors, head coach Ime Udoka benched several of his starters in the fourth quarter. This decision actually gave the team a spark, but unfortunately it wasn't enough to secure a win.
What should we make of this move? Do the Rockets have an effort problem, or are they just tired?
Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN's Paul Gallant and Joe George weigh in!