Inning One
We have Shohei Ohtani versus Framber Valdez today. Both of the warring sides failed to score in the first. Yordan Alvarez did manage to get on base with a walk. 0-0 Angels.
Inning Two
One Astro advanced on a strikeout. Our catcher is still getting used to a major league sweeper. The Angels didn’t really do anything with this inning. Great, another pitcher’s duel! Not our forte.
Inning 3
The Astros did nothing. Zach Neto, on the other hand, hit one out to right center field for his major league homer. 1-0 Angels.
Angels. That was it for this inning. 1-0 Angels.
Fourth Inning
Chris Okey allegedly did a catcher’s interference that led to a big play at first. Jeremy Pena was safe then, but he was out later on a pick off by Shohei Ohtani.
Fifth Inning
Martin Maldonado hit a two run homer to make it 2-1 Astros. David Hensley also scored on a Yordan Alvarez single. 3-1 Astros.
Sixth Inning
The Astros did nothing. Gio Urshela did reach on a fielding error but Chris Oakey struck out swinging to end the inning. At least Ohtani made it this far. One or more of our more terrifying bullpen options might not get used today. There’s that. Mike Trout reached on a two out single. Shohei Ohtani reached on a catcher’s interference by Martin Maldonado. Anthony Rendon then struck out to end the inning.
Seventh Inning
The Astros again did nothing in the seventh. Here we are in crunch time. The Angels also did nothing.
Eighth Inning
Andrew Wantz came in part way though this inning and finished it off with no further Astro scoring. He Wantz to stay ahead of the Astros in the standings, as do we all. Okay, I did my obligatory stupid Andrew Wantz joke. Now let’s win this thing. Um. The Angels went three up three down in the eighth. They must be saving it for the ninth inning.
Ninth Inning
The Astros did almost nothing, although Jeremy Pena did manage to hit a meaningless single. Ryan Pressly came in to pitch for Framber Valdez. Shohei Ohtani struck out. Anthony Rendon did the same. It was up to Hunter Renfroe to do something with this game. Well … He hit a fly ball out to end the game. Astros win 3-1.
Photo credit: Rex Fregosi