Angels losing streak hits four as Griffin Canning shelled

Griffin Canning couldn’t get out of the third inning, shelled by two home runs in the Astros’ 16-2 blowout win at Minute Maid Park, running the Angels’ losing streak to four games.

Carlos Correa led off the game with a home run off Canning, who didn’t record an out until his fifth batter faced. A walk, two singles, and a ground ball plated two more runs in the first, then Houston hung another three-run inning on the right-hander in the third inning, in the form of a three-run shot by Alex Bregman. Two batters later, Canning’s day was done, allowing eight batters to reach base while recording seven outs.

In three starts this season, Canning has allowed 14 runs in 15 innings.

The Angels’ offense was highlighted by a pair of home runs by Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani, with the latter providing a hilarious home run sprint.

Ohtani also moved to left field in the eighth inning, his first time playing the outfield in the majors.

Mike Trout was out of the lineup for a second straight game after getting hit by a pitch on his left elbow in Thursday’s series opener.

“It’s better,” manager Joe Maddon told reporters before Saturday’s game. “But it still feels a little painful when he swings the bat, and creates that movement. So we’re going to give it another day.”

Roster move

Before the game, the Angels reinstated pitcher Jose Suarez to the 40-man roster. To make room, they designated infielder Jack Mayfield for assignment.

Saturday particulars

Home runs: Albert Pujols (4), Shohei Ohtani (6); Carlos Correa (4), Alex Bregman (3)

WP — Kent Emanuel (1-0): 8⅔ IP, 5 hits, 2 runs, 5 strikeouts

LP — Griffin Canning (1-2): 2⅓ IP, 6 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts

Up next

The Angels try to avoid the four-game sweep on Sunday afternoon in Houston (11:10 a.m. PT, Bally Sports West), with Dylan Bundy facing off with Lance McCullers Jr.