Angels rally in ninth to hurt Astros’ hopes
HOUSTON — Already eliminated from playoff contention, the Angels enjoy playing spoiler.
Yunel Escobar hit a tworun homer and pinch-hitter Rafael Ortega had three RBIs during a six-run ninth inning, lifting the Angels over the Houston Astros, 10-6, on Friday night.
The loss dropped Houston 21⁄2 games behind Detroit for the second AL wild card, a tough blow after clawing back with a five-run sixth inning to take a 6-3 lead prior to the late-game collapse.
“We want to play spoiler,” C.J. Cron said. “We’re not just going to roll over and let them take the series. I think you saw that fight in us toward the end of the game today.”
Houston led 6-4 when Escobar sent a slider from Ken Giles (2-5) into the seats in left field to start the ninth. Giles walked Mike Trout with one out before intentionally walking Albert Pujols. Cron followed with a bloop single to score Trout and put the Angels on top.
Giles was replaced by Michael Feliz after loading the bases with a walk. Ortega cleared the bases with his two-out double, which deflected off shortstop Carlos Correa’s glove, to extend the lead.
“Toughest inning of the year,” Houston Manager A.J. Hinch said. “For a lot of reasons.”
Angels Manager Mike Scioscia was impressed with his team’s comeback.
“You want to play the game the right way,” he said. “You want to play hard, you want to play well, but that sometimes doesn’t add up to a win. Tonight we overcame some of our own miscues, rallied and got some big hits on the offensive side.”
In more encouraging news for the Angels. righthander Garrett Richards, who has been out since May after Tommy John surgery, felt good Friday after throwing a bullpen session a day before. “He feels great; the ball is really coming out hot,” Scioscia said. “He’s turning it loose and it’s exciting to see him healthy.”
Another departure The Angels’ director of player personnel, Justin Hollander, has departed for a job with ex-Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto’s Seattle Mariners. Hollander will be Seattle’s director of baseball operations. He spent nine seasons in Anaheim, with a number of title changes.
Hollander becomes the latest in a string of highranking executives to leave the Angels within the last year. Assistant general manager Matt Klentak was hired as Philadelphia’s GM in October. Amateur scouting director Ric Wilson was removed from his role last month and replaced by St. Louis Cardinals Midwest cross-checker Matt Swanson. Pro scouting director Hal Morris is leaving to work for Fantex at season’s end.