How Astros now find themselves threading unfamiliar needle down the stretch

WALKING THE TIGHTROPE

One of the biggest strengths for the Houston Astros in 2022 was their incredible bullpen. Heading into this season, it was expected that would be the case once again, but many pitchers have not been able to replicate that success in 2023.

While Dusty Baker has received criticism for his lineups regularly, he's done as much as can be expected with his relief pitchers. At times, Phil Maton, Rafael Montero, and Ryne Stanek have been unusable. Which has caused a higher level of fatigue for the guys Dusty can count on.

Recently, Baker gave Ryan Pressly several days off as he was dealing with soreness, and that paid big dividends. The Astros closer rewarded the team with a huge save in their first game against the Orioles on Tuesday night.

And now we're seeing starter JP France make some relief appearances as well. But would he be better suited staying in the rotation?

Be sure to watch the video above as we examine how the Astros can best maneuver the challenges they face done the stretch with their relief pitching.

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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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