WALKING THE TIGHTROPE
How Astros now find themselves threading unfamiliar needle down the stretch
Aug 9, 2023, 10:41 am
How Astros now find themselves threading unfamiliar needle down the stretch
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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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.