Houston Astros defeat the Angels at Minute Maid Park to move
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The Houston Astros took on the Angels in the rubber game of their 3 game series at Minute Maid Park. It was a low scoring pitchers duel for the most part with Shoemaker battling McCullers. The Angels took a 1-0 lead until underrated and perennial all star Jose Altuve went deep for a HR to tie the game till the bottom of the 8th. Tony Kemp led off with a single but then was caught stealing. Lead off hitter George Springer then singled and scored on a triple to deep center from Marwin Gonzalez. Angels center-fielder almost made an incredible catch as he went up the little grass hill past the warning track while crashing into the wall. After an intentional walk to Altuve, all star to be shortstop Carlos Correa barely beet out a double play grounder to make it 3-1 off reliever Cam Bedrosian so all the runs were charged to Shoemaker.
Astros closer Will Harris was lucky to save the game as the visitors got one back in the 9th as Mike Trout lined out to left to end the game after Escobar was thrown on after rounding second too much on a back throw after a single by Calhoun. That was a big blunder in the 9th inning. Houston has been playing much better as of late after a terrible start to move to 3 and one ½ games behind in the race for the second wild card, where they finished last season and defeating the NY Yankees in the wild card playoff game. That put bigger expectations for this year but the pitching and timely hit in has struggled until lately as they have now moved over .500 for the first time this year. They are hoping reigning Cy Young Dallas Keuchel can regain his form as he has not pitched well so far. . More at www.houston.astros.mlb.com
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