Here's how Astros red-hot offense now measures up to league's best

STONE COLD 'STROS

The Houston Astros are coming off another series win, and the offense appears to be getting hot at just the right time. Sunday's finale against the Padres featured the “Death lineup” which had Michael Brantley, Chas McCormick, and Yainer Diaz batting 7th, 8th, and 9th.

With a lineup that goes nine deep, Houston is getting comparisons to this year's Braves team, and of course the 2019 Astros.

While the offense hasn't been as good at home as it is on the road, it was nice to see the club drop 21 runs on the Padres over the 3-game series at Minute Maid.

Hopefully, the Astros can make some hay with the A's and the Royals next up on the schedule, while the Mariners try to keep pace against the Angels and Dodgers.

Finally, while there is still plenty of work to be done for the 'Stros, the Mariners and Rangers will beat up on each other for another 7 games before the regular season concludes. That certainly works in the favor of the Astros.

Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss how this Astros lineup compares to Atlanta's, and much more!

Don't miss Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) every Monday afternoon on SportsMap Houston's YouTube channel.

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

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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