How Astros look to jumpstart squad with these much-needed returns, roster moves
STONE COLD 'STROS
30 April 2024
STONE COLD 'STROS
Coming off a much-needed two-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies, the Astros have some tough teams on their schedule as they try to climb back in the race in the AL West.
Houston's pitching appears to be back on track, with Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander looking good since returning from injury. And Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy should return soon to give the club another boost. Which does raise some questions about who will remain in the rotation when the staff is fully healthy.
Sweet relief
The Astros bullpen finally lived up to expectations on Sunday, so hopefully that's a sign of things to come for the rest of the season.
End of the line?
Jose Abreu continues to struggle at the plate, so the Astros decided to promote Joey Loperfido to the big league club. We could see his debut as soon as Tuesday night when the Astros host the Guardians.
Be sure to watch the video above as we react to the big wins in Mexico City, look ahead to the Astros next two opponents, and much more!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via YouTube: stone cold stros - YouTube with the complete audio available via Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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.