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How Astros top-notch pitching performances just recalibrated expectations

How Astros top-notch pitching performances just recalibrated expectations
How Astros top-notch pitching performances just recalibrated expectations

The Houston Astros have already dealt with their fair share of injuries this season, but the pitching staff has done an admirable job filling in for Lance McCullers, Luis Garcia, and Jose Urquidy to this point.

Hunter Brown is managing to live up to lofty expectations, and JP France has looked terrific in his first two big league starts. And even Brandon Bielak is keeping the team in the ball game when he's had his opportunities to start.

While many were concerned about the Astros starting rotation while the team is waiting on their starters to get healthy, it now looks like they have the depth to weather the storm until Urquidy and McCullers are hopefully ready to return around the All-Star break.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 4-1. Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images.

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.

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