Why Houston Astros narrowly avoiding history was best-case scenario
ON SECOND THOUGHT
14 September 2023
After losing the first two games of the series against the A's this week, the Astros looked to avoid the sweep and bounce back with Hunter Brown on the hill. And boy did they.
Hunter Brown pitched 5 no-hit innings leading to a crucial 6-2 win over Oakland. Brown had only thrown 78 pitches when manager Dusty Baker decided to make the call to the bullpen. Which was a controversial talking point after the game.
When asked about his decision to pull Brown after the fifth inning, Baker explained that Hunter's pitch count would have only allowed him to go one more inning, regardless of the no-hitter possibility.
Baker elaborated, saying it's been a struggle for Brown recently (24 earned runs in his last 30 innings prior to Wednesday) and he wanted to get him out of the game on a high note. Especially with a rested bullpen and an off-day on Thursday.
With one down in the 9th inning, closer Ryan Pressly allowed the first hit of the game. And it might have been the best thing for the Astros. Instead of celebrating a combined no-hitter while losing a crucial series to the A's, the team can keep their focus on taking care of business against the Royals this weekend.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss what Brown's performance means moving forward, if Baker made the right decision to pull Hunter Brown, and why missing out on another no-hitter might be for the best long-term.
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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.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
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.
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