Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) – Robbie Grossman stroked a three-run homer to
power the Houston Astros to a 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
in the second of a three-game set on Saturday.
George Springer also homered for the Astros, who had starter Dallas Keuchel
(2-0) toss six scoreless innings. He surrendered just two hits and three walks
while striking out seven.
“I’m glad I capitalized on that to help my team score some more runs,”
Grossman said.
C.J. Wilson (1-2), who didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning, gave up two
runs on three hits and four walks and fanned eight for the Angels, who won the
series opener 6-3 on Friday.
Springer opened the sixth by smacking a 1-1 changeup to left field for the
game’s first run.
Grossman supplied three more runs for the Astros in the seventh. Jake
Marisnick ended Wilson’s night with a two-out single and Mike Morin
intentionally walked Jose Altuve. Grossman followed by crushing a fastball to
left for a 4-0 score.
“It’s frustrating,” Morin said. “It’s something that I have learned that
you’re going to have to continue to improve every day.”
Johnny Giavotella led off the eighth with a double for the Angels, but was
left stranded after Pat Neshek induced fly outs from Kole Calhoun and Albert
Pujols around a Mike Trout strikeout.
The Angels failed to get anything going offensively throughout the course of
the game. David Freese singled to start the second, moved to second on
Springer’s fielding error and advanced to third on a groundout, but was left
on base.
Los Angeles finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and mustered
just three hits.
Game Notes
Keuchel is now 5-1 in nine career games (eight starts) against the Angels …
Houston improved to 5-6 this season, which matches their best start since the
2007 season … Angels outfielder Collin Cowgill was ejected during the
seventh inning after arguing a called third strike … Trout’s 10-game hitting
streak came to an end after he went 0-for-4 with two strikeout … Altuve has
hit in eight straight games … The Astros wore throwback jerseys in honor of
their 1965 team and the Angels followed suit with their road uniforms from the
same year.
