The Houston Astros erased a late deficit and escaped with a 5-4 extra-inning victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night at Angel Stadium.
Jose Altuve scored the winning run in the 10th inning on an unusual sacrifice play, and Houston preserved the lead moments later when left fielder Brice Matthews threw out Mike Trout at home plate. The dramatic finish handed the Angels a frustrating defeat after they carried a lead into the late innings.
Houston improved its position in the American League race by overcoming an early three-run deficit and capitalizing on key opportunities late in the game. The Angels, meanwhile, were left to wonder what might have been after several missed chances and a costly defensive miscue in extra innings.
Angels Strike First
Los Angeles opened the scoring early against Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti.
Trey Mancini, playing in his first major league game since July 2023, delivered an RBI single in the opening inning to put the Angels ahead. Moments later, Logan O’Hoppe lined a two-run double that scored two more runs and gave Los Angeles a 3-0 lead.
Mancini’s return provided an immediate boost. The veteran finished with three hits and played a major role in helping the Angels build an early advantage.
Arrighetti settled down after the rough start and prevented the game from getting out of hand. He completed six innings, allowing three runs on four hits while working around four walks.
Astros Gradually Fight Back
Houston chipped away at the deficit throughout the middle innings.
Christian Walker put the Astros on the board in the third with an RBI double. The veteran first baseman continued to be one of Houston’s most productive hitters and remained central to the comeback effort.
The Astros closed the gap further in the sixth.
Isaac Paredes opened the inning with a double before LaMonte Wade Jr. drove him home with a one-out double. Wade was forced to leave the game after reaching second base, but the Astros maintained momentum. Cam Smith followed with another RBI double that tied the game at 3-3 and ended Grayson Rodriguez’s outing.
Rodriguez showed flashes of effectiveness but could not hold the lead. The Angels starter departed after allowing Houston to erase the early deficit.
Neto Restores The Lead
The Angels regained control in the seventh inning thanks to one swing from Zach Neto.
Facing reliever Enyel De Los Santos, Neto launched a solo home run to give Los Angeles a 4-3 lead. The blast was his 13th homer of the season and appeared poised to stand as the game-winning hit.
The Angels bullpen protected the advantage into the ninth inning, leaving the Astros down to their final outs.
Walker Delivers In The Ninth
Houston’s comeback was not finished.
Jeremy Peña opened the ninth inning with a walk and quickly moved into scoring position after stealing second base. Walker came through again, lining an RBI single that brought Peña home and tied the game at 4-4.
The clutch hit forced extra innings and shifted momentum back toward the Astros.
Josh Hader then dominated the bottom of the ninth. The veteran closer struck out the side to keep the game tied and earn the eventual victory.
Unusual Play Decides The Game
The decisive moment came in the top of the 10th inning.
Altuve started the frame as the automatic runner at second base and advanced to third after Matthews successfully laid down a bunt single. Sam Aldegheri responded by striking out Cam Smith and appeared close to escaping the inning when Jake Meyers lifted a shallow fly ball toward center field.
Nick Madrigal tracked down the popup while backpedaling into the outfield grass. Altuve tagged from third and sprinted home. Madrigal’s throw bounced awkwardly in front of O’Hoppe, who could not secure the ball cleanly.
Altuve slid safely across the plate, giving Houston a 5-4 lead. O’Hoppe was charged with an error on the play.
The Astros still needed one more defensive stand.
Matthews Throws Out Trout
The Angels had an immediate opportunity to respond in the bottom of the 10th.
Trout began the inning as the automatic runner at second base. Jose Siri followed with a sharp single that appeared likely to tie the game.
Instead, Matthews delivered the defensive play of the night.
The Astros left fielder charged the ball and fired a strike to the plate, cutting down Trout as he attempted to score. The out dramatically changed the inning and removed the tying run.
Bryan Abreu took over from there, striking out Jo Adell before retiring Denzer Guzman to secure his fourth save.
Trout finished the night 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and a walk. The Angels star remained in the midst of a difficult stretch at the plate, extending his hitless streak to 20 at-bats.
Up Next
The Angels will turn to right-hander Walbert Ureña in the second game of the series. Ureña enters the matchup with a 3-4 record and a 2.68 ERA after emerging as one of the club’s most consistent starters.
Houston is scheduled to counter with right-hander Kai-Wei Teng, who brings a 3-4 record and a 3.06 ERA into Tuesday night’s contest at Angel Stadium.