Angels lose in extras to Astros

The Angels had their fair share of opportunities to win this game, but they couldn’t deliver, as they fell to the Astros 6-5 in extra innings.

Leading 4-3 entering the ninth inning, Ty Buttrey allowed Houston to tie things up at four. The Angels couldn’t put any runs on the board in the bottom half of the frame so they went to extras. With the runner beginning the inning on second, the Astros were able to bring him in to score using fundamental baseball. A sacrifice fly gave them a one-run edge.

The Angels answered right back in the bottom half of the inning, as Michael Hermosillo singled in Anthony Rendon from second, tying the game back at five. LA had a golden opportunity to win the game, as they had the bases loaded with two outs. Matt Thaiss worked a full count, but struck out looking to end the inning.

Alex Bregman singled in the 11th, bringing in Jose Altuve to give Houston the lead yet again. The Angels yet again saw themselves having the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the 11th. Brian Goodwin fell behind quickly in the count and flew out to center to end the game, dropping the Angels to 3-7 on the young season.

Earlier in the game, it looked as if Albert Pujols would be the lone offense the Angels would have needed for the afternoon.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Pujols stepped to the plate. On a 2-0 pitch, he connected on a 95 mph fastball that he nearly sent to the freeway. It was the 658th home run of his career.

Moving on to the pitching side of things.

Shohei Ohtani made his second start of the season. After last week’s outing, in which he didn’t record an out, things could only go up for him. They went up, but not by much. He lasted 1 ²⁄₃ innings, allowing two runs while walking five. Ohtani didn’t allow a hit, but he struggled with command all afternoon. He threw 50 pitches, with 50 percent of them being strikes.

Things looked like they were off to a great start in the first inning as he retired the side in order. It was the second inning in which things completely fell apart. He walked three consecutive batters to begin the inning, though he had full counts on every batter. With the bases loaded and no outs, Ohtani struck out the next two hitters and was only one out away from escaping the jam.

On a 3-2 pitch, Ohtani threw what should have been strike three to Dustin Garneau. Instead of escaping the inning untouched, the Astros put a run on the board. (The green No. 6 is what the ump called ball four)

George Springer then followed with a walk as well, bringing in Houston’s second run of the inning. That was it for Ohtnai, as Jose Rodriguez came in to relieve him.

Sunday particulars

WP: Blake Taylor (1-0) 1 ¹⁄₃ IP, 0 ER, 2 SO, 2 BB

LP: Jacob Barnes (0-2) 2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 SO

Home runs: Albert Pujols (2) Alex Bregman (2)

Box score

Up next

The Angels travel to Seattle to take on the Mariners. They have Monday off and don’t play until Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. PT. Their starting pitcher is TBA.