BUYER'S REMORSE
Contract aside, here’s why Astros have no choice but fix Rafael Montero
Jun 23, 2023, 10:37 am
Contract aside, here’s why Astros have no choice but fix Rafael Montero
When the Houston Astros signed Rafael Montero to a 3-year, $34,500,000 contract this offseason many fans and media members were surprised. Montero had one quality season to his name, and landed the fifth-biggest reliever contract in MLB.
Houston did not have a general manager at the time, and as we approach the half-way point of the season, that deal looks like a huge mistake. Montero's ERA is over 7, and he just can't be trusted in any situation.
So what should the Astros do? ESPN Houston's John Granato and Josh Jordan share their thoughts on how the Astros can fix Montero and salvage a troubling situation.
If you enjoy the videos, subscribe on YouTube for our latest content.
Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM!
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
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.