Angels struggle to generate offense against Yusei Kikuchi and Astros in loss

Yusei Kikuchi pitched seven innings of three-hit ball in another sharp start, and Yordan Alvarez homered and drove in two runs in the Houston Astros’ 5,000th victory, 5-3 over the Angels on Friday night.

Kikuchi (9-9) overcame early trouble and struck out six Angels while keeping the Astros unbeaten in all of his starts since joining Houston in a trade with Toronto. Houston gave up three prospects for Kikuchi, who is grateful to general manager Dana Brown for believing in him.

“I heard a lot of what fans had to say” about the trade, Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “But I think our GM made an awesome decision. I just wanted to prove to everybody what I’m capable of. ... I wasn’t pitching that well in Toronto just before the deadline, so I was shocked a little bit. But once I got here, I was able to put the past behind me.”

Angels

Jack Kochanowicz has off night as Angels lose to Twins

Rookie starter Jack Kochanowicz gave up four runs in 5-2/3 innings as the Angels lost to the Minnesota Twins.

Sept. 11, 2024

Kikuchi is 5-0 in an Astros uniform, and Houston is 8-0 when he takes the mound. He’s a big reason the Astros are rolling toward yet another AL West title after struggling early in the season. Kikuchi and two relievers combined to hold Los Angeles to three hits.

“He’s been really good,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “We knew that it was in there. I’m just glad that he’s been receptive and been able to be open about the adjustments we wanted him to make, and pitch usage and stuff like that. But the arm has always been there. It just feels like he’s been here for many, many years. I hope he just keeps going.”

Alex Bregman hit an early two-run homer and Alvarez added his 33rd in the ninth inning for the first-place Astros, who opened a six-game Southern California trip with their second straight win after a three-game skid.

Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 30th save as the Astros became the 18th big league club to reach 5,000 victories.

Mickey Moniak homered for the Angels, who have lost five of six.

Rookie Samuel Aldegheri (1-2) couldn’t get out of the third inning in his third major league start for the Angels, yielding four runs on six hits and five walks while recording only six outs.

“Just couldn’t find his command,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “Couldn’t hit his spots. Couldn’t throw any pitch with consistency. That’s not him.”

Houston scored twice in the second with two singles followed by two walks and Alvarez’s sacrifice fly.

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The Astros then got three hits on Aldegheri’s first three pitches in the third inning. After Kyle Tucker singled, Bregman hit his 23rd homer and Jeremy Peña doubled.

Kikuchi issued back-to-back walks to begin the third, and Los Angeles scored on Zach Neto’s groundout and Nolan Schanuel’s single.

Moniak’s solo shot to right in the fourth was just his second career homer against a left-hander. It was also the former No. 1 overall pick’s 14th homer of the season, matching his career high.

Alvarez’s homer was a line drive that went in and out of Moniak’s glove when the center fielder leaped at the wall to attempt what would have been a spectacular catch. The homer was Alvarez’s fifth in September.

Hader recorded 30 saves for the fourth consecutive season and the fifth time in his career.

Injury updates

Astros: Infielder Jose Altuve returned from a one-game absence with discomfort in his right side. He drove the first pitch of the game into left field, but was easily thrown out at second while trying to stretch it into a double.

Angels: Second baseman Brandon Drury sat out after leaving Wednesday’s game in the fifth inning with hamstring tightness. ... Right-hander Ben Joyce is still awaiting the results of his MRI exam Thursday. The 105-mph hurler hasn’t pitched since Sept. 6 after reporting shoulder discomfort.

Up next

Justin Verlander (3-6, 5.30 ERA) takes the mound for Houston after struggling in his past two starts in September. The Angels send out All-Star Tyler Anderson (10-12, 3.50 ERA), who beat the Astros earlier this year for his only victory in nine career starts against them.