Jordan Thomas and the tight ends kept the Texans in the game. Bob Levey/Getty Images
The Texans had a rough day with the Colts ending their win streak at nine games. One of the bright spots on the day was the play of the Texans tight ends. They combined for 11 catches and 151 yards in the loss.
Ryan Griffin had one of his better games catching the ball consistently being open and ending up with a handful of Watson passes. His fourth-quarter catch and run for 47 yards was one of the best plays all day. Griffin nearly scored but was stopped short of the goal line. The Texans challenged but didn't get it overturned into a score. Griffin had five catches for 80 yards.
Jordan Thomas continued to showcase his ability to get open and make plays in space. One of his catches was an absolute snag to keep a Texans drive alive. He had four catches for 31 yards.
Jordan Akins went to work early catching a couple of passes and netting 40 yards. He was a key part of the Texans scoring drive early in the game.
The Texans tight ends have always had a prominent role for Bill O'Brien's offense, even when they weren't getting the ball. O'Brien hasn't ever had this type of depth at the position though and he uses them all. Despite the loss, Griffin's reemergence is an important aspect for this offense down the stretch.
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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.