Shaky eighth versus Angels hands Astros first loss of 2021

Photo courtesy of Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Thus, the dream of 162-0 dies.

A tight contest in the first of two games Houston will play against the Los Angeles Angels ended in a loss for the visiting Astros, as a late bullpen implosion downed Houston by a 7-6 score.

It was bound to happen eventually, and Monday was the tipping point for the previously undefeated Astros. The bullpen had been utilized a great deal in the previous series, with the starters still ramping up their pitch counts and longevity into games.

Young right-hander Luis Garcia got the start for Houston, filling in for Framber Valdez in the rotation. Garcia pitched three innings of shutout baseball against one of the league's better hitting lineups.

Garcia faltered in the fourth, however, allowing five baserunners and two runs to only one out before eventually being pulled. Ryne Stanek would complete the inning, but a long bullpen outing awaited the Astros.

Houston still managed to hold an early lead. A three-run first inning against Angels' starter Jose Quintana built an early cushion, and another run in the fourth helped Houston to a 4-2 lead even after the shaky inning from Garcia. Both teams would score one more run each heading into the eighth inning.

Joe Smith led off the inning, and was immediately shaky -- Smith allowed two straight singles to Albert Pujols and Jose Iglesias before hitting pinch-hitter Shohei Ohtani with a pitch to load the bases with no outs. He was pulled in favor of Blake Taylor, who was tasked with escaping the inning unscathed.

He wouldn't. A single, RBI force out, and Yuli Gurriel throwing error in consecutive at-bats would net the Angels a 6-5 lead, and a sacrifice fly ball courtesy of Anthony Rendon would push the number of runs scored in the eighth inning to four.

The Astros attempted to battle back in the ninth, and a Kyle Tucker solo shot made things interesting, but it ultimately wouldn't be enough to salvage a win.

Houston drops to 4-1 with the loss, and are still sitting pretty with another positive offensive performance. They have a chance to split the two-game set with Anaheim on Tuesday, with Zack Greinke facing Dylan Bundy. First pitch is scheduled for 3 PM CT.