Astros Secure Narrow Victory
The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Thursday, August 20, at Daikin Park. The home team improved its record to 64-63, while the Angels fell to 50-77. Attendance at the venue was 21,162. The game featured a strong pitching performance by Houston rookie Ethan Pecko, who struck out four batters during his major league debut.
Game Progression
The Angels took an early lead in the third inning when Luis Vázquez homered to left field. The drive traveled 383 feet, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. The Astros answered quickly in the fourth inning.
A double by Guzman allowed Lowe and Grissom to score, giving Houston a 2-1 lead. The Angels responded immediately to tie the game at 2-2 when Altuve doubled to left, allowing Alvarez to score and sending Paredes to third base.
The Astros regained the lead in the same frame when Smith hit a sacrifice fly to center field, enabling Paredes to score and making the final margin 3-2. There was exactly one home run recorded in the game.
Pitching Performance
Ethan Pecko started for the Astros, pitching 3.2 innings. He allowed three hits and two earned runs while walking three batters and striking out four. He was followed by Bennett Sousa, who pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and no earned runs with one strikeout.
Sousa earned the win, improving his record to 1-1. AJ Blubaugh pitched one inning, allowing one hit and no earned runs with two strikeouts. Steven Okert pitched one inning, allowing no hits and no earned runs while walking one batter and striking out two.
Bryan Abreu pitched one inning, allowing no hits and no earned runs with two strikeouts. Josh Hader closed the game with one scoreless inning, allowing no hits and no earned runs while walking one batter.
For the Angels, Walbert Urena pitched 5.0 innings, allowing three hits and three earned runs while walking two batters and striking out seven. He took the loss, dropping to 8-9. Michael Fulmer pitched one inning, allowing two hits and no earned runs with three strikeouts.
Tayler Saucedo pitched 1.1 innings, allowing no hits and no earned runs with two strikeouts. Luke Murphy pitched 0.2 innings, allowing no hits and no earned runs.
Sources
https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816594
