Nolasco, Pujols lead the way
Visitors end 11-game losing streak against Houston, which loses ground in the AL wild-card race.
Ricky Nolasco delivers on the mound, Albert Pujols at the plate.
HOUSTON — The Houston Astros don’t have enough time for their bats to go quiet like they did Thursday night.
Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Ricky Nolasco pitched seven solid innings, helping the Angels put a crimp in the Astros’ wild-card hopes with a 2-0 victory.
The Angels ended an 11-game skid against the Astros and dropped Houston 11⁄2 games behind the Detroit Tigers for the second American League wild-card playoff berth.
Pujols homered into the Crawford Boxes in left field, helping the Angels win for only the second time in 13 games against the Astros.
“It’s nice to win,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We have played some tough games. Those guys have had our number. They’re a tough team. They have played well against us, but we are going to keep playing hard.”
Nolasco (7-14) gave up five singles and struck out five. He did not allow a base runner past second. It was the second consecutive scoreless start for Nolasco, who pitched six shutout innings against the Toronto Blue Jays last Saturday.
“I was spinning the ball pretty good,” Nolasco said. “I thought I was feeling the strike zone for the most part. I was challenging with fastballs when I had to. I was pitching some good breaking balls to keep them off balance.”
Pujols’ two runs batted in moved him to 19th on the all-time list, breaking a tie with Frank Robinson.
He has 116 RBIs this season, his most since 2010, when he had 118 for the St. Louis Cardinals.