Astros 4, Angels 2: Astros post two runs late to escape with a win

Mike Trout hit a solo shot off of Collin McHugh in the bottom of the fourth inning. Good news for my TCB Dynasty League team, the VinceYoungSteakhouse; bad news for your Houston Astros.

Luis Valbuena answered with a leadoff home run double in the top of the sixth. Man, isn't instant replay just the worst? The second base umpire originally called this ball a homer, but upon further review, New York determined that it hit the top of the yellow line out in right field. That shot is a home run in a lot of ballparks, but the 12 foot wall in right field at Angels Stadium was just tall enough to contain it. Unfortunately, the 'Stros were not able to capitalize on the double. Matt Shoemaker hit Carlos Correa, but AJ Reed struck out to end the inning.

In the sixth inning, Mike Trout went full Jose Altuve on a bloop double that would have been a bloop triple if he hadn't tripped over the second base bag. It didn't end up mattering whether Trout ended up on second or third, as CJ Cron brought him home with an RBI single, making it 2-0 Angels.

Carlos Gomez reached on an infield single to leadoff the seventh inning and advanced to third on an Evan Gattis single. Gattis was then pulled for pinch runner Jake Marisnick. Jason Castro struck out, but Marisnick advanced to second with a stolen base on the swinging strike three. Gomez scored on what should have been an infield single for George Springer, but since Andrelton Simmons is a baseball fielding robot, Springer had to settle for a fielder's choice and no RBI. Marisnick scored when Jose Altuve blistered a ball into left field, tying the game at 2-2.

Castro led off the ninth inning with his ninth double on the season. Springer followed with a walk, and Valbuena lined a single into right to load the bases with no one out and Altuve coming to the plate. Your AL batting leader hit a lazy ball out to right field, caught by Kole Calhoun. Castro wisely did not test Calhoun's arm, so the bases remained loaded, now with one man out. Carlos Correa, who had been quiet with the bat all night, hit the ball to deep deep right field. Calhoun again made the play, however, this time Castro was able to tag up from third and give the Astros their first lead of the game. Correa missed a grand slam by about four feet. AJ Reed struck out (again) to end the inning (again), but not before Springer came home on a wild pitch / passed ball (not sure what the call was) making it 4-2 Astros.

Will Harris loaded the bases with no outs in the ninth (aided by a Johnny Giavotella strike out that ended up with him on first base) but he was able to wiggle out of trouble and secure the win. The Astros are now 40-37 on the season.