Angels: Astros offense takes down Angels for sixth loss in eight games.
ANAHEIM >> History will remember Shohei Ohtani’s 2021 season fondly, while little else figures to be viewed in the same regard for the Los Angeles Angels, who were upended by the Houston Astros once more, 8-2, on Saturday.
While things started fast, they fizzled even quicker as the Angels lost for the sixth time in their past eight games and have been a punching bag for the Astros, losing for the eighth time in 11 games to their American League West foe.
Momentum, once again, played no favorite. Ohtani opened the game for the Angels with a booming home run to right field that will resonate for some time, since his 39th of the season matched Reggie Jackson’s club record for a left-handed hitter, set in 1982.
Appearing inspired by the feat, David Fletcher followed with a single then personified his scrappy style with a stolen base. Jared Walsh grabbed the baton and ripped an RBI single to left field for a 2-0 lead after three batters. It went astray from there.
For all of Ohtani’s home run prowess this season, he was even upstaged in that department by an Astros player making his second career start.
Jake Meyers hit the first two home runs of his career, including his first grand slam, in a game he likely would not have started had Kyle Tucker not been placed on the injured list due to health and safety protocols. Tucker hit a grand slam in Houston’s 4-1 victory Friday.
Meyers’ first home run of the game highlighted a three-run third inning against Jaime Barria when the Astros took the lead for good. His grand slam in the sixth off Junior Guerra put Houston on top 8-2.
The Angels are 2-4 after six games of a seven-game homestand against two of the best offenses in baseball. They have been outscored 32-17 on the homestand thus far against the Toronto Blue Jays and Astros.
While Ohtani continues to lead the major leagues in home runs, his pace has slowed considerably. The home run was just his second of August after he hit 13 in June and nine in July to win consecutive American League player-of-themonth honors.
But it was also Ohtani’s second home run since he was moved to the leadoff spot earlier in the week, with Davie Fletcher moved behind him in the No. 2 spot.
Barria (2-1) lasted just three innings, giving up three runs on seven hits while throwing 52 pitches. Guerra needed 42 pitches in the sixth inning alone and was charged with all four runs in the inning.