The Los Angeles Angels entered the weekend knowing the battle ahead of them. In a dire situation for the American League wild card race, they traveled to Texas to face a Houston Astros team that has had their number for multiple years. This included a 3-7 record against Houston prior to this series.
It was always going to be a challenge for the Angels. But back-to-back victories in their final two games against the San Francisco Giants provided the hope of momentum. If they could bring some of that into the Astros series, they could steal a win before facing the AL West-leading Texas Rangers.
Instead, what awaited them was more of the same in their recent history with Houston. The Astros made life difficult for the Angels with back-to-back blowouts. They knocked around Angels pitching and stifled their bats with 11-3 wins in two straight games.
It was the Angels second-worst margin of defeat in a two-game stretch of the season, the first being 17 runs on May 6 and May 7 against the Rangers. And it required a second-year pitcher in only his fifth start of the season to save the sweep and secure a win in the finale.
The series leaves the Angels at 59-60, 6.5 games away from the Toronto Blue Jays for the final wild card spot and with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners still to leapfrog.
Game 1: Astros def. Angels 11-3
Reid Detmers’ slump continued with another seven-run performance — his third since July 8 — that removed him from Friday’s game in just 2.1 innings. He was rocked for a five-run second inning when Jon Singleton, who had not hit a Major League home run since 2015, smacked a three-run shot to break things open.
A pair of fielder’s choice RBIs from Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez put the Angels in a 5-1 hole after two. The onslaught continued in the third, when Singleton struck again. He connected on a two-run home run to make it 7-2 and chase Detmers from the game.
The Angels were able to save some high leverage relievers by getting five innings out of Kenny Rosenberg, who allowed another four runs on seven hits with five walks.
Game 2: Astros def. Angels 11-3
It was deja vu for the Angels on Saturday when Tyler Anderson lost his command en route to a seven-run outing. Anderson was riding comfortably through three innings, but fell apart in the fourth. He walked Jose Altuve, then gave up a double to Alex Bregman, an RBI single to Yordan Alvarez and a three-run home run to Kyle Tucker.
Anderson had given up four runs in the fourth before recording an out, but managed to finish the inning with three straight outs. Then more trouble struck in the fifth.
Anderdson recorded two quick outs, then again allowed four consecutive baserunners to reach before being removed and replaced by Dominic Leone. Leone’s two inherited runners both scored, giving the Astros a 7-1 lead and giving Anderson seven earned runs.
With the score being what it was, the Angels once again avoided the use of many high leverage relievers, with Aaron Loup only tackling one inning of work, setting up what was a near must win on Sunday.
Game 3: Angels def. Astros 2-1
Chase Silseth wanted to prove he belonged in the starting rotation. Carlos Estévez wanted to prove the pitching could hold down the fort for the Angels. Both got their wish in a narrow victory in the series finale.
A Mickey Moniak RBI double in the third and a Shohei Ohtani solo home run — his 41st big fly of the season — gave the Angels all the runs they needed due to an impressive performance from Silseth and the bullpen.
In Silseth’s fourth start since returning to the rotation, he tossed five scoreless frames, allowing four hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He continued the trend of leaning on his slider and has once again gotten results with the pitch.
Despite one earned run from José Soriano in the sixth inning, Reynaldo López, Matt Moore and Estévez held firm with three scoreless frames that saw just two hits with five strikeouts.