How critical key to Astros season might also be its most unlikely
THE BAR IS SET HIGH
02 April 2023
THE BAR IS SET HIGH
The Houston Astros have some injuries to overcome over the first few weeks of the season, but these health concerns can also provide opportunities for several of the Astros developing players.
Jeremy Pena was a pleasant surprise in his rookie season for the Astros. He became a player the team counted on as the season progressed, and we all know how impressive he was in the postseason.
This year, Yainer Diaz, David Hensley and Corey Julks have a chance to do something special in their first full year in the big leagues. It would be expecting a lot for Yainer Diaz to have a breakout season similar to Pena's, but the team is going to have to lean on him as they wait on Michael Brantley and Jose Altuve to get healthy. Whether it be catching, playing left field, first base, or DH, the Astros are going to need Diaz's bat.
Be sure to check out the video above as we examine what the Astros are hoping to get from their young players, and what the expectations should be for the Astros top hitting prospect, Yainer Diaz.
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.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
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.