Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton has been making a name for himself with some timely hitting at times this season. On Thursday night, Singleton came through in the clutch as the Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1.
Singleton smoked a double to left-center field, plating Yordan Alvarez and Yanier Diaz in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Astros and Angels were tied at 1-1 at this point, but Houston found a way to win. And Astros fans have to be impressed by the continuing great work from starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.
Houston Astros Lower Magic Number
The Houston Astros managed to lower their Magic Number to win the American League West Division to five games. Seattle posted a Thursday afternoon victory over the New York Yankees at home. Still, the Astros are in pretty good shape to make yet another postseason trip.
Kikuchi totaled up nine strikeouts and gave up five hits and one run—a Taylor Ward leadoff home run in the Angels’ first inning—in six innings of work.
Yusei KiKKKKKKKKuchi.#Relentless x @MLBJapan pic.twitter.com/LHGx62rMpl
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 20, 2024
The Astros are now 9-0 in all games Kikuchi has started since he was acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays on July 29. Kikuchi has given Houston another effective left-handed starter, right alongside Framber Valdez. But Kikuchi has been able to use some offspeed pitches and a sneaky fastball in his starts.
According to MLB.com reporter Brian McTaggart, Kikuchi is the first pitcher in Astros history to have the club win his first nine starts with the team. That’s some kind of record what with all of the Astros’ historic pitchers like Larry Dierker, J.R. Richard, and Randy Johnson that the team has had play for it.
Singleton’s clutch hit came with two outs and the bases loaded with Astros teammates.
JON DOUBLETON.#Relentless pic.twitter.com/HP6QqahrDZ
— Houston Astros (@astros) September 20, 2024
Angels reliever Ryan Miller (0-1) walked Alvarez and right fielder Kyle Tucker to open up the eighth inning. Then, Diaz hit into a fielder’s choice that sent Alvarez to third. Jeremy Peña grounded out on a ball rolling out just in front of the batter’s box. The Angels then decided to intentionally walk Victor Caratini, loading up the bases.
Then, here came Singleton to put the game on ice. But the Houston Astros were pretty awful on offense Thursday night until Singleton’s big hit. They had numerous chances to put together solid scoring chances. Yet the Astros couldn’t push across runs.
Angels Couldn’t Get A Big Hit
Well, Singleton smacked his two-out, two-strike double off Miller, a line drive to left-center field. Singleton started picking up more time in the Astros’ lineup after the ballclub dropped Jose Abreu earlier this season. Abreu is still getting paid off of his high-priced, free-agent contract put together by Astros owner Jim Crane and Senior Advisor, Ownership & Baseball Operations Jeff Bagwell. But he became unreliable at the plate with his low batting average and inability to drive in runs consistently.
On Thursday night, the Angels were 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The loss snapped their two-game win streak.
Astros reliever Bryan Abreu came on in the eighth, recording three outs and picking up the win in relief. Abreu is now 3-3 for the season. Closer Josh Hader shut down the Angels, picking up his 32nd save.
Los Angeles starting pitcher José Suarez went five innings, allowing three hits and a run. It was just his second start on the season as Suarez has mostly been used out of the Angels’ bullpen, The Associated Press reported.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was given the night off by Astros manager Joe Espada. Third baseman Alex Bregman took over leadoff batter duties on Thursday night.
The four-game series continues at Minute Maid Park on Friday night. The Astros will send Justin Verlander (4-6, 5.20 ERA) out against the Angels’ Tyler Anderson (10-13, 3.60 ERA).
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