How Texans' defensive effort sets stage for heavyweight title bout
TEXANS ON TAP
20 November 2023
TEXANS ON TAP
The Houston Texans secured a big victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, despite some struggles with turnovers from quarterback CJ Stroud.
Which is a departure from recent games, when Stroud was able to lead his team on game-winning drives in consecutive weeks. This past Sunday, Houston had to rely on their defense late in the game, with the offense unable to score any points in the second half.
The return of Derek Stingley has already made a significant impact as he came away with a big interception. Plus, linebackers Blake Cashman (19 tackles) and Christian Harris (5 tackles, 2 passes defended) had strong performances as well.
Cashman especially deserves credit, as he played out of position at Mike linebacker, with Denzel Perryman missing the game due to suspension.
By finishing the game strong and notching another win, the Texans now have the division crown in their sights, with Trevor Lawrence and the first place Jaguars coming to NRG this Sunday.
Plus, with another quality performance from Stroud and a win on Sunday, it would be hard to argue against the Texans having the best QB in the division, and possibly the MVP of the league.
Don't miss the video above as we react to the Texans' clutch win over the Cardinals and examine what this performance means moving forward.
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.