How Houston Astros latest statement series holds critical keys to returning to championship form
CLOSING THE GAP
04 July 2023
CLOSING THE GAP
The Houston Astros recorded a huge series win against the Texas Rangers this week, which now has the team within striking distance to reclaim the lead in the AL West.
Kyle Tucker, Jose Abreu, and Chas McCormick continue to spark the team's offense, and Yordan Alvarez looks to be getting closer to returning from his oblique injury.
However, Cristian Javier's recent struggles have reached an all-time high, as he appears broken. It's hard to have any level of trust with him right now. He's surrendered 18 earned runs in his last three appearances.
With the All-Star break just around the corner, it may benefit him the most to get some rest and work on his mechanics. Pitching again before the break could make things even worse. Something is clearly off. His strikeouts are way down, with only 6 in his last three starts.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss what this huge series win means for the Astros moving forward, and much more!
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.