Weekend that was
Fred Faour: A new direction for SportsMap, Sam Houston Race Park and a weekend you won't forget
Jan 15, 2018, 6:00 am
Tom Brady is the last star QB standing. Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
Today marks the start of a new phase here on SportsMap. All the on-air talent from Gow Media will be writing columns. So every day, you will get great stuff from people like A.J. Hoffman, Lance Zierlein, John Granato, Charlie Pallilo and more. You will also be getting a lot more videos. We have more great stuff ahead so please stay tuned.
Horse of a different color
On Friday, Sam Houston Race Park opens for live racing. (We will be broadcasting live from 4-7 and I will be doing an appearance after from 7-9 p.m.)
If you have never been, live racing is a unique experience. Take time to watch a race from the rail outside so you get a sense of the power of the animals. As far as wagering, check out my audio book Acing Racing 2016 for everything you need to know.
Final Four
Tom Brady we expected to be there. But raise your hand if you thought the three remaining quarterbacks would be Case Keenum, Nick Foles and Blake Bortles. Now put them down, because you are lying.
Minnesota might be the most complete team left. Keenum is playing at a high level, they run the ball effectively and their defense is off the charts. Don’t be surprised if they are hosting the Lombardi Trophy on their home field in a couple weeks. Have you seen a better finish? Wow.
Weekend wrapup
A lot happened over the weekend. Bill O’Brien got his contract extension. Patrick Creighton also weighed in on that.
The Astros made a monster deal, landing Gerrit Cole without giving up anything of note. Creighton had a nice take on that as well.
And finally, Astros FanFest was this weekend and Paul Muth was there.
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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.