Deciding Runs
The Houston Astros claimed a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. The game featured a late rally by the home side, with the deciding runs coming in the fourth inning. Los Angeles took an early lead, but Houston answered with two consecutive scoring plays to take the lead for good. The final score was 3-2 in favor of the Astros, improving their record to 64-63 while the Angels fell to 50-77.
Game Flow
The Angels struck first in the third inning. Vázquez hit a home run to left field, carrying the ball 383 feet, to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. The game remained tied at 1-1 until the fourth inning, when the Astros offense ignited. Guzman doubled to drive in two runs, scoring Lowe and Grissom, which put Houston ahead 2-1. However, the Angels quickly responded. Altuve doubled to left field, allowing Alvarez to score and putting Paredes in scoring position. Smith then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, enabling Paredes to score and tie the game at 2-2. The Astros then scored the winning run to take the 3-2 lead. There was exactly one home run recorded in the game, hit by Vázquez.
Pitching Performance
Ethan Pecko started for the Astros, pitching 3.2 innings while allowing three hits and two earned runs. He also issued three walks and struck out four batters. Bennett Sousa earned the win, pitching 1.1 innings with one hit, no earned runs, no walks, and one strikeout. The Astros' bullpen was dominant in the late innings. AJ Blubaugh pitched one inning with one hit, no earned runs, no walks, and two strikeouts. Steven Okert pitched one inning with no hits, no earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. Bryan Abreu pitched one inning with no hits, no earned runs, no walks, and two strikeouts. Josh Hader secured the save, pitching one inning with no hits, no earned runs, one walk, and no strikeouts.
For the Angels, Walbert Urena took the loss. He pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs, while issuing two walks and striking out seven batters. Michael Fulmer pitched one inning with two hits, no earned runs, no walks, and three strikeouts.
Tayler Saucedo pitched 1.1 innings with no hits, no earned runs, no walks, and two strikeouts. Luke Murphy pitched 0.2 innings with no hits, no earned runs, no walks, and no strikeouts.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816594
