WILD TURN OF EVENTS
How Astros player power rankings just took a surprising twist
Jun 13, 2023, 9:24 am
How Astros player power rankings just took a SURPRISING twist
The Houston Astros are already a third of the way into the season, and one of the pleasant surprises has been the play of utility man Mauricio Dubon.
Dubon was a critical piece to the puzzle, with Jose Altuve missing a chunk of the season from a fractured thumb. Not only did he hold down second base in Altuve's absence, but he's continued to play well enough to deserve playing time even after Altuve's return.
Mauricio has made some terrific plays in the outfield and has the highest batting average on the team.
Another player that has shocked us this season is Jose Abreu. Abreu has shown some signs of life recently, but overall has been a big disappointment at this stage of the season.
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss which players have been the most valuable so far this year, and what we should expect moving forward.
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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.