Latest reports, results place Houston Astros in precarious territory
STONE COLD 'STROS
28 May 2024
STONE COLD 'STROS
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!
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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.
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.