{"id":411544,"date":"2026-08-20T04:40:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T04:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/411544\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T04:40:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T04:40:11","slug":"houston-astros-count-on-bullpen-to-carve-out-win-over-angels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/411544\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Astros count on bullpen to carve out win over Angels"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros’ Christian V\u00e1zquez, left, celebrates with Cam Smith in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros’ Christian V\u00e1zquez (2) and Cam Smith celebrate after a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve (27) and Cam Smith (11) celebrate after a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros pitcher Josh Hader throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko walks toward the dugout before a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ethan Pecko throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker tries to field a single by Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pe\u00f1a catches a fly ball by Los Angeles Angels’ Nolan Schanuel during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, left, argues with first base umpire Lance Barrett (16) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, left, argues with first base umpire Lance Barrett (16) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros’ Christian V\u00e1zquez celebrates after hitting a home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve runs up the first base line after hitting a RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros’ Isaac Paredes, right, scores as Los Angeles Angels catcher Mois\u00e9s Ballesteros stands at home plate during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press\"Houston<\/p>\n

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) catches the throw from catcher Christian V\u00e1zquez before tagging out Los Angeles Angels’ Josh Lowe as he tries to steal second base during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo\/David J. Phillip)<\/p>\n

David J. Phillip\/Associated Press<\/p>\n

After giving a starter making his major-league debut two turns through the Angels\u2019 order, the Houston Astros<\/a>\u00a0turned to their bullpen in the fourth inning Wednesday. Their most reliable unit took over from there.<\/p>\n

Five relievers combined to work 5\u2153 scoreless innings and a scuffling offense did just enough for the Astros to claim a 3-2 win, end a three-game losing streak and even a three-game series at Daikin Park. With a Rangers loss, the Astros stretched their American League West lead back to two games.<\/p>\n

An opponent with the majors\u2019 second-worst record has made this series uncomfortable. A night after being held to three hits in a defeat, the Astros totaled five and saw shortstop and leadoff man Jeremy Pe\u00f1a exit <\/a>with a hand contusion after being hit by a 100 mph sinker from the Angels\u2019 Walbert Ure\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Los Angeles
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n

Totals
\n31
\n2
\n5
\n2
\n5
\n11<\/p>\n

Meckler lf
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.286<\/p>\n

b-Siri ph-lf
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.257<\/p>\n

Trout cf
\n3
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.240<\/p>\n

Schanuel 1b
\n4
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.278<\/p>\n

Neto ss
\n4
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.224<\/p>\n

Ballesteros c
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n.204<\/p>\n

Grissom dh
\n3
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n3
\n.244<\/p>\n

Lowe rf
\n2
\n1
\n2
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.209<\/p>\n

c-d’Arnaud ph
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.188<\/p>\n

1-Frazier pr
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.235<\/p>\n

Guzman 3b
\n4
\n0
\n1
\n2
\n0
\n2
\n.233<\/p>\n

Peraza 2b
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n2
\n.226<\/p>\n

Houston
\nAB
\nR
\nH
\nBI
\nBB
\nSO
\nAvg.<\/p>\n

Totals
\n28
\n3
\n5
\n3
\n2
\n12<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1a ss
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.283<\/p>\n

a-Allen ph-ss
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n.252<\/p>\n

Alvarez dh
\n4
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.317<\/p>\n

Paredes 3b
\n3
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n.260<\/p>\n

Altuve 2b
\n4
\n0
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n1
\n.246<\/p>\n

Wade lf
\n3
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.226<\/p>\n

Varsho cf
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n.228<\/p>\n

Smith rf
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n2
\n.222<\/p>\n

Walker 1b
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.230<\/p>\n

Trammell cf-lf
\n3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n.215<\/p>\n

V\u00e1zquez c
\n2
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n1
\n.219<\/p>\n

Los Angeles
\n000
\n200
\n000_2
\n5
\n0<\/p>\n

Houston
\n001
\n200
\n00x_3
\n5
\n1<\/p>\n

a-struck out for Pe\u00f1a in the 3rd. b-struck out for Meckler in the 7th. c-walked for Lowe in the 9th.<\/p>\n

1-ran for d’Arnaud in the 9th.<\/p>\n

E_V\u00e1zquez (1). LOB_Los Angeles 8, Houston 4. 2B_Guzman (6), Altuve (16). HR_V\u00e1zquez (7), off Ure\u00f1a. RBIs_Guzman 2 (20), V\u00e1zquez (25), Altuve (37), Smith (47). SB_Frazier (2). CS_Lowe (1). SF_Smith.<\/p>\n

Runners left in scoring position_Los Angeles 4 (Siri, Ballesteros, Meckler, Peraza); Houston 2 (Walker 2). RISP_Los Angeles 1 for 8; Houston 1 for 5.<\/p>\n

Runners moved up_Peraza.<\/p>\n

DP_Houston 1 (V\u00e1zquez, Altuve, V\u00e1zquez).<\/p>\n

Los Angeles
\nIP
\nH
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n

Ure\u00f1a, L, 8-9
\n5
\n3
\n3
\n3
\n2
\n7
\n94
\n2.80<\/p>\n

Fulmer
\n1
\n2
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n3
\n22
\n0.00<\/p>\n

Saucedo
\n1
\n1-3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n25
\n5.79<\/p>\n

Murphy
\n2-3
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n6
\n2.08<\/p>\n

Houston
\nIP
\nH
\nR
\nER
\nBB
\nSO
\nNP
\nERA<\/p>\n

Pecko
\n3
\n2-3
\n3
\n2
\n2
\n3
\n4
\n89
\n4.91<\/p>\n

Sousa, W, 1-1
\n1
\n1-3
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n18
\n3.52<\/p>\n

Blubaugh, H, 7
\n1
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n12
\n3.35<\/p>\n

Okert, H, 18
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n2
\n20
\n2.01<\/p>\n

Abreu, H, 9
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n2
\n14
\n4.30<\/p>\n

Hader, S, 18-18
\n1
\n0
\n0
\n0
\n1
\n0
\n19
\n0.87<\/p>\n

Inherited runners-scored_Sousa 1-0. HBP_Pecko (Trout). WP_Ure\u00f1a.<\/p>\n

ABS Challenge_Ballesteros (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Allen (Strike-Overturned to Ball); Allen (Strike-Confirmed); Grissom (Strike-Confirmed); Fulmer (Ball-Overturned to Strike); Paredes (Strike-Overturned to Ball).<\/p>\n

Ejected_Espada.<\/p>\n

Umpires_Home, Mike Estabrook; First, Lance Barrett; Second, Malachi Moore; Third, Alfonso Marquez.<\/p>\n

T_2:54. A_21,162 (41,000).<\/p>\n

Christian V\u00e1zquez struck a solo home run against Ure\u00f1a, Jose Altuve had an RBI double and Cam Smith contributed a sacrifice fly that broke a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning. That proved the decisive run.<\/p>\n

The Angels took a 2-0 lead in the fourth against Ethan Pecko,<\/a>\u00a0the right-hander called up Wednesday to make his debut for Houston. Pecko exited with two outs in the inning, his pitch count inflated, handing the ball to an Astros bullpen that entered with the majors\u2019 third-lowest ERA since June 1.<\/p>\n

Bennett Sousa stranded a runner inherited from Pecko and recorded four outs. AJ Blubaugh worked a scoreless sixth, with V\u00e1zquez throwing out Josh Lowe stealing second base to complete a double play. Steven Okert navigated a leadoff walk, his first walk issued since June 27, in a scoreless seventh.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Bryan Abreu struck out two batters in a clean eighth. Josh Hader also worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth to record his 18th save in as many chances, retiring Jose Siri on a flyout to deep center for the final out. Five relievers combined to allow two hits, walk two batters and strike out seven.<\/p>\n

How Ethan Pecko fared in debut<\/p>\n

Pecko, the 23-year-old right-hander called up from Triple-A Sugar Land to make his major-league debut, faced the Angels\u2019 lineup twice. He got through 3\u2154 innings, throwing 89 pitches, while appearing to battle his command, especially on his four-seam fastball. Still, Pecko limited the damage against him to two runs in his first outing for Houston.<\/p>\n

\u201cA little sloppy, but I felt like I battled,\u201d Pecko said. \u201cI didn\u2019t have any expectations, I just wanted to throw well, throw strikes. Command wasn\u2019t there. It\u2019s been a little bit since I threw. But overall, I\u2019m happy with it and I think there\u2019s a lot I can work on.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Astros made Pecko the latest line of reinforcement for a rotation their front office did not fortify at the trade deadline. The 2023 sixth-round draft pick is the 17th different pitcher to start a game this season for a Houston team that entered Wednesday with the majors\u2019 third-highest rotation ERA. His presence reflects its search for solutions.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Pecko has averaged three walks per nine innings over his last two minor-league season, suggesting his command Wednesday was atypical. He located 31% of his pitches in-zone, including seven of 29 four-seam fastballs he threw, per Statcast. The Angels did chase at a 36% clip and whiff on 11 of 39 swings against him. Pecko threw 49 of 89 pitches for strikes.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe looked very calm,\u201d said V\u00e1zquez. \u201cVery competitive pitches. Only the fastball was missing up. The curveball was very good, the sinker to righties. It was a lot of takes on sinkers, so it was good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pecko navigated a seeing-eye single by Mike Trout in an 18-pitch first inning, inducing two pop-ups. He touched 95.9 mph in the first, his top velocity on the night. He needed 31 pitches to work the second, walking two batters but striking out three. Pecko struck out Vaughn Grissom swinging at a sweeper for his first major-league strikeout.<\/p>\n

Pecko began the fourth at 62 pitches and hit a snag. Grissom worked a one-out walk. Josh Lowe flared a single to center field. Denzer Guzman then drove a full-count sweeper to left field, where a fan sitting in the front row of the Crawford Boxes reached over, caught the ball and brought it into the seats.<\/p>\n

Umpires conferred and ruled the play a double with fan interference. Since both runners were moving on the pitch, however, umpires ruled that both scored. Pecko faced one more batter, striking out ninth hitter Oswald Peraza. He finished with three walks, four strikeouts and three hits allowed.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Astros counter Walbert Ure\u00f1a<\/p>\n

Ure\u00f1a had two previous starts against the Astros this season. In them, he allowed one run over 11 total innings. The hard-throwing sinkerballer held Houston to five hits and struck out 12 in those starts. That made Wednesday a relative breakthrough.<\/p>\n

The Astros managed just three hits against Ure\u00f1a, who struck out seven, but scratched across three runs and chased him after five innings at 94 pitches. Ure\u00f1a owns a 2.80 ERA on the season.<\/p>\n

Ure\u00f1a retired his first eight batters in order. Five struck out. Just one hit a ball out of the infield. V\u00e1zquez, starting at catcher to help Pecko through his debut, turned on a first-pitch 98.4 mph sinker with two outs in the third inning and lined his seventh home run into the Crawford Boxes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s his best pitch,\u201d V\u00e1zquez said. \u201cPower pitcher, good velo, good sinker, so I was looking for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

Houston manufactured two more runs in the fourth. Yordan Alvarez struck a leadoff single. Isaac Paredes worked a walk. Altuve pulled a changeup into the left-field corner, scoring Alvarez and moving Paredes to third. Smith skied a sacrifice fly that forged a 3-2 lead. Ure\u00f1a allowed nothing further.<\/p>\n

Astros manager Joe Espada ejected<\/p>\n

Astros manager Joe Espada was ejected in the top of the third inning for arguing a non-check swing call.<\/p>\n

Mike Trout was hit by a sinker from Pecko on his left hand. First base umpire Lance Barrett ruled on an appeal that Trout had checked his swing. Espada apparently took exception from the dugout. Barrett signaled for a stop, then ejected Espada, who came out to argue.<\/p>\n

In the first inning, Pe\u00f1a was hit on the right hand by a 100 mph sinker from Ure\u00f1a. In a two-strike count, home plate umpire Mike Estabrook ruled that Pe\u00f1a had swung, resulting in a strikeout. Espada said that he disputed the difference in how the calls were handled.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow I will probably apologize to Lance,\u201d Espada said. \u201cI looked at the replay, (Trout) did not swing. But for me it was Mike did not check Pe\u00f1a\u2019s, and once Trout gets hit he immediately goes to Lance for the call. So I\u2019m like, if you\u2019re going to make the call, might as well just check both. So I did not like that aspect of things. So I went out there and pled my case.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was the second ejection this season for Espada. He was also ejected on Aug. 5 for arguing an out call at second base that was upheld upon review.<\/p>\n

Jeremy Pe\u00f1a exits with hand contusion<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1a initially remained in the game after being hit on the hand, playing defense in the second and third innings. However, he was replaced by pinch-hitter Nick Allen in the bottom of the third.<\/p>\n

The Astros announced Pe\u00f1a was removed from the game with a \u201cright hand contusion.\u201d Espada said that Pe\u00f1a was hit near the middle knuckle on his right hand and underwent X-rays that came back negative.<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty sore,\u201d Espada said of Pe\u00f1a. \u201cGoing to see how he feels tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Houston\u2019s shortstop and leadoff hitter, Pe\u00f1a entered Wednesday hitting .098 over his last 12 games but still had a 127 OPS-plus in 78 games, second-highest among Astros hitters behind Yordan Alvarez.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Houston Astros’ Christian V\u00e1zquez, left, celebrates with Cam Smith in the dugout after hitting a home run against…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":411545,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[56,58,57],"class_list":["post-411544","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-houston","tag-houston","tag-houston-headlines","tag-houston-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411544","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=411544"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/411544\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/411545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=411544"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=411544"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=411544"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}