|
 Singleton finished 1-for-3 with a bases-loaded walk and two RBIs,
the latter coming via a 406-foot shot into the Astros bullpen in
right-center field in the eighth inning. Singleton victimized Angels
right-hander Matt Shoemaker, who then followed by allowing another
solo home run one at-bat later, this one to Astros designated hitter
Chris Carter.
Angels outfielders Collin Cowgill and Josh Hamilton smacked solo
home runs in the top of the eighth, their fourth and third,
respectively, to cut the Astros' lead to 5-2. But Singleton and
Carter immediately put an end to the Angels' comeback hopes with
their electric power display.
"Fantastic. Amazing. I can't even begin to go into words to describe
how great it feels like," Singleton said of his homer.
"When I was young and I would dream about this day it was kind of a
blur. But now that it's happened I realize how thankful and how
grateful I am that I am here in this position."
Singleton crushed a 3-1 fastball for his first career home run,
capping a whirlwind 36 hours that included his signing a five-year,
$10 million extension that precluded his promotion from Triple-A
Oklahoma City. Carter followed with his ninth homer of the season,
an opposite-field shot to right field, also on a 3-1 count, marking
the first time the Astros (25-34) hit home runs in consecutive
at-bats this season.
McHugh (4-3) labored yet proved effective enough, allowing two hits
and two walks while striking out four over 97 pitches. He struggling
finding his rhythm but nevertheless extended his scoreless innings
streak to 13 dating back to May 21 against the Angels (30-27).
"Early in the game it looked like he had a really good fastball and
then his fastball command got away from him," Astros manager Bo
Porter said of McHugh. "And then he started using his breaking ball
more and then he lost the sharpness of his breaking ball. To go five
innings and give us a scoreless five innings took a lot of effort."
After striking out in his first at-bat against Angels left-hander
C.J. Wilson (6-5), Singleton worked a four-pitch walk to force in
fellow rookie George Springer and bump the Houston lead to 3-0 in
the third. Springer walked to load the bases ahead of catcher Jason
Castro, whose two-run single to right field broke the scoreless tie
and keyed the rally.
Two batters after Singleton recorded his first RBI, left fielder
Robbie Grossman followed with a two-run single that chased Wilson
and pushed Houston to a 5-0 lead. Grossman skillfully flipped a 3-2
slider into shallow center, scoring Castro and third baseman Matt
Dominguez.
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"C.J. had a tough one," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He
wasn't feeling well from the beginning, and he just couldn't get
through it. Getting the ball in the zone was a struggle for C.J.
tonight."
Wilson entered with a 3-1 record, 1.99 ERA and two saves in 11
career appearances in Houston. His sixth career start at Minute Maid
Park proved forgettable, with five runs, six hits and four walks
sullying his ledger. Wilson threw 69 pitches over 2 2/3 innings,
including 33 balls.
"I just had nothing in the tank," Wilson said. "I didn't pitch very
well, which is unfortunate, because our team needed that game
tonight. You're going to have a game like this every two years or
something like that. You just get over it and move on."
NOTES: The Astros promoted 1B Jon Singleton from Triple-A Oklahoma
City after signing him to a five-year, $10 million extension that
could pay him $30 million over eight years in three option years are
picked up. Singleton, 22, made his major league debut Tuesday. ...
1B Marc Krauss was optioned to Oklahoma City. ... Astros RF George
Springer was selected the American League Rookie of the Month after
hitting .294/.385/.647 with 10 homers, 25 RBIs and 22 runs in May.
He is the fourth Houston player to earn the honor. ... Angels LF
Josh Hamilton returned to action after missing 48 games with a torn
ligament in his left thumb. ... The Angels claimed LHP Wade LeBlanc
off waivers from the New York Yankees, reinstated RHP Dane De La
Rosa from the DL and optioned him to Triple-A Salt Lake, selected
the contract of RHP Cam Bedrosian from Double-A Arkansas, and
optioned RHP Michael Kohn to Salt Lake.
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reserved.]
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