Pallilo Points
Charlie Pallilo: Rockets are simply a much better team than the Jazz
Apr 30, 2018, 12:36 pm
The Rockets should have no problem defeating the Jazz in Game 2 on Wednesday. Courtesy photo
The Rockets didn't have any trouble defeating the Jazz in Game 1, and Houston shouldn't need more than five games to finish off Utah and move on to the 3rd round of the playoffs.
The Texans took part in the least anticipated draft in franchise history this weekend, only because they didn't have a pick until the third round. New Texans GM Brian Gaine can't do much worse in the middle rounds than his predecessor, Rick Smith, and the Texans' first selection, Justin Reid, should have no trouble beating out Andre Hal for the starting job at safety.
Finally, the Astros have an exciting series with the Yankees beginning tonight at Minute Maid, and Houston hopes to snap the Yankees 9-game winning streak with Charlie Morton making the start.
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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.