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 Left fielder Preston Tucker and first baseman Jon Singleton socked
solo home runs while right-hander Lance McCullers worked seven
strong innings as the Houston Astros claimed a 6-3 victory over the
Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park.
The Astros (57-45) reclaimed sole possession of first place in the
American League West for the first time since a six-game losing
streak leading into the All-Star Game break cost them their perch.
Houston has hit multiple home runs in a game 42 times and is 37-5 in
those contests.
With the Astros potentially in the market for an outfielder or a
first baseman, Tucker bashed his 10th home run of the season into
the home bullpen in right-center field to open the sixth inning.
Singleton chased Angels right-hander Garrett Richards (10-8) with
his first homer, also into the Astros bullpen, with one out in the
seventh. Singleton added an RBI single as part of a two-run eighth
inning that provided insurance.
"It definitely is a weight off my shoulders," said Singleton, who
finished 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs after entering the game
batting just .171 over 15 games and sporadic at-bats. "It's
definitely a good chance for me to kind of like be happy about what
I did today. But I guess I can take a deep breath after tonight's
game. Just got to keep it up."
McCullers (5-3) allowed one run on five hits with five strikeouts.
Four of the Angels' hits went for extra bases, but McCullers did not
issue a walk, the first time since June 8 that he did not surrender
a free pass.
"We had opportunities early and couldn't get some hits, which could
have given more breathing room early," Angels manager Mike Scioscia
said. "He (McCullers) made some pitches. He had good stuff tonight.
Even though we got on top 1-0 we could not expand the lead."
After mustering just two singles over four innings against the
Houston bullpen in the series opener, the Angels (55-45) managed a
pair of runs in the ninth inning off Astros closer Luke Gregerson,
including a solo home run from first baseman Albert Pujols, his
30th. Pujols became the sixth player in league history with 13
30-homer seasons, joining Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez,
Babe Ruth and Mike Schmidt.
Richards retired the first seven batters he faced and worked around
a pair of walks to reach the fifth inning without allowing a hit.
But the middle of the Astros order orchestrated a sudden uprising in
that frame, starting with a leadoff double from third baseman Luis
Valbuena.
Valbuena advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored when
right fielder Colby Rasmus followed with a sacrifice fly to left
field. The Astros added three additional hits in the inning, with
second baseman Jose Altuve securing a 2-1 lead with a two-out
infield single that scored catcher Hank Conger.
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"I was falling behind in the count on a lot of guys," Richards said.
"My first-pitch strikes weren't there. It was one of those days.
They're swinging the bat well right now. Things are kind of going
their way. We ran into a hot team I suppose."
The momentum shift dovetailed nicely with McCullers' efficiency. The
Angels managed two extra-base hits in the second inning, with third
baseman Conor Gillaspie adding an RBI triple two at-bats after
shortstop Erick Aybar reached on a one-out double. But McCullers
retired 13 of his last 15 batters, departing having thrown 99
pitches.
"I was able to get ahead a lot with it (the fastball), and when I
needed I was able to locate well and get some outs so that was very
big for me," McCullers said. "These are big games for us, no dancing
around it. I think we've played really well and we're going to
continue to play really well going forward."
NOTES: In order to make room for OFs David DeJesus and David Murphy,
both of whom were acquired via trade Tuesday, the Angels optioned OF
Daniel Robertson and INF/OF Efren Navarro to Triple-A Salt Lake.
Both DeJesus and Murphy were in the starting lineup, with DeJesus
playing center field and Murphy manning left. ... Angels CF Mike
Trout missed his second consecutive start because of a sore left
wrist. Trout was available as a defensive replacement but did not
participate in batting practice. He remains day-to-day. ... Astros
3B Jed Lowrie will be activated from the 60-day disabled list on
Thursday and will start at third base in the series finale against
the Angels. Lowrie has been on the DL since April 28 following
surgery to repair a right thumb ligament tear. The Astros have
designated RHP Roberto Hernandez for assignment to make room for
Lowrie.
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