09/13/24 11:48:00
Printable Page
09/13 23:46 CDT Yusei Kikuchi, Yordan Alvarez lead Astros past Angels 5-3 for
Houston's 5,000th victory
Yusei Kikuchi, Yordan Alvarez lead Astros past Angels 5-3 for Houston's 5,000th
victory
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) --- Yusei Kikuchi pitched seven innings of three-hit ball
in another sharp start, and Yordan Alvarez homered and drove in two runs in the
Houston Astros ' 5,000th victory, 5-3 over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday
night.
Kikuchi (9-9) overcame early trouble and struck out six Angels while keeping
the Astros unbeaten in all of his starts since joining Houston in a trade with
Toronto. Houston gave up three prospects for Kikuchi, who is grateful to
general manager Dana Brown for believing in him.
"I heard a lot of what fans had to say" about the trade, Kikuchi said through
an interpreter. "But I think our GM made an awesome decision. I just wanted to
prove to everybody what I'm capable of. ... I wasn't pitching that well in
Toronto just before the deadline, so I was shocked a little bit. But once I got
here, I was able to put the past behind me."
Kikuchi is 5-0 in an Astros uniform, and Houston is 8-0 when he takes the
mound. He's a big reason the Astros are rolling toward yet another AL West
title after struggling early in the season. Kikuchi and two relievers combined
to hold Los Angeles to three hits.
"He's been really good," Houston manager Joe Espada said. "We knew that it was
in there. I'm just glad that he's been receptive and been able to be open about
the adjustments we wanted him to make, and pitch usage and stuff like that. But
the arm has always been there. It just feels like he's been here for many, many
years. I hope he just keeps going."
Alex Bregman hit an early two-run homer and Alvarez added his 33rd in the ninth
inning for the first-place Astros, who opened a six-game Southern California
trip with their second straight win after a three-game skid.
Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 30th save as the Astros became the 18th
big league club to reach 5,000 victories.
Mickey Moniak homered for the Angels, who have lost five of six.
Rookie Samuel Aldegheri (1-2) couldn't get out of the third inning in his third
major league start for the Angels, yielding four runs on six hits and five
walks while recording only six outs.
"Just couldn't find his command," Angels manager Ron Washington said. "Couldn't
hit his spots. Couldn't throw any pitch with consistency. That's not him."
Houston scored twice in the second with two singles followed by two walks and
Alvarez's sacrifice fly.
The Astros then got three hits on Aldegheri's first three pitches in the third
inning. After Kyle Tucker singled, Bregman hit his 23rd homer and Jeremy Pea
doubled.
Kikuchi issued back-to-back walks to begin the third, and Los Angeles scored on
Zach Neto's groundout and Nolan Schanuel's single.
Moniak's solo shot to right in the fourth was just his second career homer
against a left-hander. It was also the former No. 1 overall pick's 14th homer
of the season, matching his career high.
Alvarez's homer was a line drive that went in and out of Moniak's glove when
the center fielder leaped at the wall to attempt what would have been a
spectacular catch. The homer was Alvarez's fifth in September.
Hader recorded 30 saves for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in
his career.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: INF Jose Altuve returned from a one-game absence with discomfort in his
right side. He drove the first pitch of the game into left field, but was
easily thrown out at second while trying to stretch it into a double.
Angels: 2B Brandon Drury sat out after leaving Wednesday's game in the fifth
inning with hamstring tightness. ... RHP Ben Joyce is still awaiting the
results of his MRI exam Thursday. The 105-mph hurler hasn't pitched since Sept.
6 after reporting shoulder discomfort.
UP NEXT
Justin Verlander (3-6, 5.30 ERA) takes the mound for Houston after struggling
in his past two starts in September. Los Angeles sends out All-Star Tyler
Anderson (10-12, 3.50 ERA), who beat the Astros earlier this year for his only
victory in nine career starts against them.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
|
