Angels rally late, only to watch Astros win in 9th
ANAHEIM » Perhaps the Angels had no business going into the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s game tied with the Houston Astros, but there they were. Two errant throws by Astros fielders, combined with one timely hit — only the Angels’ second of the game — spurred an unexpected four-run rally.
One inning later, the Angels gave the lead right back.
Houston spoiled the Angels’ comeback bid before an announced crowd of 27,180 at Angel Stadium, winning 6-5. Kyle Tucker’s double into the rightfield corner off Raisel Iglesias (26) scored Jose Altuve with the go-ahead run.
The loss gave the Astros (5729) a 20-game lead over the Angels (38-50) in the American League West. The Angels have one win to show for their last 10 games.
True to recent form, they trailed by two runs after half an inning, and were down 5-1 going into the seventh when they were gifted a comeback.
With one out in the seventh inning, Astros right-hander Phil Maton walked Luis Rengifo. Max Stassi hit a ground ball back to the mound and Maton threw to second base with the potential to turn a double play. But the throw was off-line, Rengifo slid in safely, and Stassi reached first without a throw.
The next batter, Jonathan Villar, hit a ground ball headed for the left-field corner, but Astros third baseman Alex Bregman glided over to stop it on his backhand. Bregman also threw wide of second base, however, and suddenly the bases were loaded.
Maton’s second pitch to Brandon Marsh, a curveball, hit his
Angels starter Noah Syndergaard lasted just four innings Tuesday night against Houston.
back foot. Rengifo jogged home — the beneficiary of a rare run without a hit, bunt or sacrifice fly.
Right-hander Rafael Montero relieved Maton and struck out Michael Stefanic on three pitches for the second out, but pinch hitter David McKinnon roped a 96-mph sinker on line drive to left field. The single scored Stassi and Villar to draw the Angels within 5-4. Marsh, importantly, was able to advance from first base to third.
When Montero threw a pitch that got past catcher Martin Maldonado, Marsh scored from third to tie the game at 5.
Angels starter Noah Syndergaard allowed three runs in four innings, hurting his own cause by walking four batters. Both batters he faced in the fifth inning reached base, on an error and a walk, and Syndergaard was removed after throwing his 80th pitch.
Angels center fielder Mike Trout was removed from the game after four innings because of upper back spasms. Monte Harrison finished out the game in center field.
Marsh had the Angels’ other hit, a single against Astros starter Luis Garcia, in the second inning.