RUN IT BACK
How Houston Astros molded new-look offense using familiar faces
Sep 7, 2023, 2:48 pm
How Astros molded a new look-offense using familiar faces
Coming into the final month of the season, the Astros were finally starting to sneak into the Top 10 for overall team offense. And after sweeping the Rangers with an offensive explosion, the team is now Top 5 in OPS.
So what's been the difference? Jose Altuve is going bananas at the top of the lineup, and Jeremy Pena and Michael Brantley have made a huge impact as well.
Not to mention what Chas McCormick and Yainer Diaz have done for the team when they get in the lineup.
So what should we expect from the Astros' bats moving forward?
Be sure to watch the video above as we examine how the Astros seemingly have things going at just the right time, and caution how the results from the Rangers series could impact Dusty Baker's future lineups.
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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.