Astros take road opener with win against Halos

After a sloppy and frustrating series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Astros were resolved to get back on the right track. A losing streak always hurts regardless of its duration, but in a season as short as this one, getting back in the win column is top priority.

Thankfully, the Astros were able to avoid a three-game losing streak, earning a 9-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels in their first road game of the year.

Following a sleepy first inning, the Astros struck first with a four-run second inning that featured a two-run double by Kyle Tucker. A bases loaded walk by George Springer would bring home another run, which would be followed by an RBI groundout by José Altuve.

Lance McCullers wasn't his sharpest in his second start of the season. After a scoreless first inning that required 24 pitches, he would require 19 more to get through the second. The bleeding would start in the third, after a single and a walk to David Fletcher and Brian Goodwin respectively would be compounded by an Anthony Rendon single that drove in Fletcher. That would be all in the inning, but McCullers would have to labor heavily to get through it.

The fourth would prove difficult for McCullers. The Astros would hang one in the top half, but Lance McCullers would allow a leadoff double by catcher Jason Castro to score after another double from David Fletcher drove him home. The run total would extend to three after a Brian Goodwin two-run home run. The next two outs would come easily, but the fourth inning was enough to knock McCullers out of the game. His final line would finish at 4.0 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER, 4 BB, and 4 strikeouts. He would not pitch enough innings to qualify for the decision.

Walks represented a huge issue for the pitching staff on the day. The Astros would issue a whopping twelve total on the day, more than they gave up during the entire series with the Dodgers. A few fortunate double plays would ease the burden, but some of those walks would prove costly, coming across to score for the Angels.

Thankfully, the hitting was able to pick it up the pitching. Kyle Tucker went 3-5 with four batters driven in. Yuli Gurriel joined in on the action with a 2-4 night that included a sac fly. George Springer notched two hits with two RBIs, an encouraging sign for the struggling hitter.

Andre Scrubb earned the save in the ninth inning. Brandon Bielak, who came on for McCullers in the fifth inning, would earn the win. The Astros play again tomorrow at 6PM central time.