STONE COLD 'STROS
Latest reports, results place Houston Astros in precarious territory
May 28, 2024, 11:23 am
This is a critical stretch for Houston. Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros welcomed Jose Abreu back on Monday night against the Mariners. He went 1-3 in the Astros' 3-2 loss.
The 'Stros are now 4.5 games behind the Mariners in the AL West, and have to find a way to at least split the series to stay within striking distance.
And just when we thought the pitching staff might be receiving some reinforcements, we learned over the weekend that Jose Urquidy and Cristian Javier are dealing with forearm discomfort.
They are expected to be evaluated by team doctors on Tuesday, and Javier has already been placed on the injured list.
The heart of the lineup
Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez continue to struggle at the plate. Bregman is four for his last 40, and Alvarez has two home runs in the month of May.
Clutch gene?
The Astros have only one win when down after seven innings, and zero when down after eight innings. Clearly, Breggy and Yordan's issues at the plate are playing a role in these losses.
Be sure to watch the video above for the full discussion!
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 The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
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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.