Angels 3, Astros 1: Astros avoid being no-hit but rally falls short

The Astros final score line after Sunday's game read 1 run, 1 hit, and 1 error. It's great cemetery but that line is rarely going to help you win a baseball game.

Garrett Richards was in control of the Angels on the mound. He allowed zero hits, one walk, and six strikeouts through five innings. While Scott Feldman had a bit more traffic on the base paths, he matched Richards on the scoreboard through four.

The Angels would hope the floodgates in the fifth, scoring three runs. David Freese and Erick Aybar lead off the inning with a pair of singles. Johnny Giavotella followed with a walk, the bases were now loaded with no outs. Feldman was able to battle back with one batter, striking out C.J. Cron.

The Astros starter also did his job against Chris Iannetta as the catcher hit a dribble in front of home plate. Unfortunately, said dribbler was close to the third base line. Feldman slide, fielded the ball cleanly, and attempted to flip the ball home. The throw was way wide, allowing not only Freese but Aybar to score.

Kole Calhoun would a third run on a sac fly before the inning was over.

Garrett Richards had a no-hitter through six innings. Luis Valbuena walked to lead off the seventh inning, and Chris Carter followed with a walk of his own. Colby Rasmus struck out.

Jason Castro flipped a pitch the other way, breaking up the no-hitter. The hit was too shallow to score a run, but the bases were loaded with one out.

Marwin Gonzalez struck out. Newest call up, Preston Tucker took one for the team and scored a run on a hit-by-pitch. That would be all the Astros could muster, as Evan Gattis popped out to end the inning.

The Astros had chased Richards from the game, but they went down in order in their final two innings.

The Astros start two game series with the World Series Champion Giants on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.