STONE COLD 'STROS
These critical factors lay the groundwork for Houston Astros second half surge
Jul 10, 2023, 6:56 pm
These critical factors lay the groundwork for Astros second half surge
The Houston Astros head into the All-Star break trailing the Texas Rangers by only two games in the American League West.
Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez are looking to start a rehab assignment in the minors shortly after the All-Star break, so that's good news for the Astros offense.
Altuve and Alvarez have only played in 13 games together so far this season, and the Astros' record in those games is 10-3. So they definitely can provide a boost to the club.
Be sure to watch the video above as the guys discuss what they learned from the first half of the season, how they see the second half playing out, and much more.
Remember to subscribe on YouTube for our latest content!
And listen to ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 for Houston's best sports talk.
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.