The Angels looked to extend their season high six game win streak, as they hit the road to face off against the Houston Astros, Friday night at Minute Maid Park. The Angels sent Matt Shoemaker to the mound, and he was opposed by right hander, Lance McCullers.
Shoemaker and McCullers matched each other pitch by pitch as the game was scoreless through four innings of play. In the fifth, Preston Tucker would hit a one-out triple that was just out of the reach of Mike Trout in center.
Next batter, Jason Castro singled to right, scoring Tucker and giving the Astros a 1-0 lead. The score remained the same until the bottom of the seventh, as Joe Smith relieved Matt Shoemaker with runners on first and third with two outs and would give up a single to George Springer, as the Astros extended their lead to 2-0.
In the ninth, McCullers attempted to go for a complete game shutout, as he had limited the Angels to just four hits through eight innings. He would walk the first two batters to start the inning and was relieved by closer, Will Harris. Harris would retire Pujols and then Nava would ground into a fielder’s choice, as runners were on first and third for Andrelton Simmons with two outs.
Simmons would line a single into left to score Calhoun as the Angels cut the lead to 2-1 with runners on first and second. Next batter was Ji-Man Choi, who struck out to end the game as the Astros defeated the Angels 2-1, snapping their six game win streak.
The winning pitcher was Lance McCullers, who went eight innings giving up one run on four hits, walking four and struck out ten. He improves to 5-4 on the season. The loss was charged to Matt Shoemaker, who falls to 5-10. Will Harris picks up his tenth save of the season.