|
 Pujols moved into 25th place on the all-time home run list, and
his sixth-inning solo shot gave the Los Angeles Angels a 2-1 victory
over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
Weaver conceded just two hits and one walk for his first
complete-game victory in two years. Weaver (5-3) retired 18 of the
final 19 batters he faced, including 10 in a row between the fourth
and seventh innings. The right-hander finished with five strikeouts.
"I think one of the biggest keys for him was that he pitched inside
really effectively," catcher Hank Conger said. "I thought that set
the tone for him the whole game."
Weaver, who threw just 96 pitches, passed right-hander Mike Witt to
take over third place on the Angels' career strikeout list.
"I'm feeling stronger toward the end of the game more than I did
early on," Weaver said. "Just the endurance is coming back. The
velocity is getting back to where it needs to be."
Pujols broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning by pounding
a 2-1 fastball from right-hander Collin McHugh (2-3). The ball hit
the roof covering the players' bench in the Astros' bullpen in left
field.
With his 13th homer of the season and the 505th of his career, the
first baseman passed Hall of Famer Eddie Murray on the all-time
list.
Houston put the potential tying run on base with one out in the top
of the ninth inning, when Weaver hit right fielder George Springer.
However, Weaver picked off Springer, then induced a popout from
center fielder Dexter Fowler to end the game.
McHugh, who pitched seven innings and threw 112 pitches, retired 13
of the final 16 batters he faced. He scattered four hits and two
walks while striking out seven.
"Collin had a sharp breaking ball and had a good fastball at the top
of the zone," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "Collin was really good
tonight, and their guy (Weaver) was even better."
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The Angels took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
Shortstop Erick Aybar's single scored left fielder Efren Navarro,
who singled and moved to second base on second baseman Howie
Kendrick's groundout.
Springer hit his fourth home run of the season in the top of the
fourth to tie the score. Springer hit Weaver's first pitch, a slow
curve, over the 390-foot sign in left field.
NOTES: Houston 2B Jose Altuve went 0-for-4, ending his career-best
12-game hitting streak. Altuve played his 82nd consecutive errorless
game. ... Houston CF Dexter Fowler also finished 0-for-4, ending his
run of reaching base safely in 18 consecutive games. ... Los Angeles
OF Mike Trout was not in the starting lineup for the first time this
season. He sat out due to a tight left hamstring. ... The Angels
activated RF Kole Calhoun from the disabled list and optioned LHP
Hector Santiago to Triple-A Salt Lake. Calhoun started and went
0-for-3. ... Injured Los Angeles OF Josh Hamilton celebrated his
33rd birthday. ... The attendance was 40,112.
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