Pecko fans four in debut as Astros take 3-2 win over Angels

Debut performance anchors Astros

Ethan Pecko made his Major League debut for the Houston Astros, recording four strikeouts in 3.2 innings pitched. The right-hander allowed three hits and two earned runs while walking three batters. Although he did not record a decision, his outing set the stage for a strong relief effort from the Astros bullpen.

The team improved its record to 64-63 with the victory over the visiting Los Angeles Angels.

Scoring unfolds in middle innings

The Los Angeles Angels, batting first as the away team, took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Carlos Vázquez hit a home run to left field. The ball traveled 383 feet, providing the only home run of the game. The Astros responded in the fourth inning with a two-run double by Guzman, which scored Lowe and Grissom to tie the game at 2-2.

The Angels regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Smith hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Paredes to score. The Astros then cut the deficit to 3-2 after Altuve doubled to left field, scoring Alvarez and advancing Paredes to third base.

Bullpen secures the win

Following Pecko, the Astros relied on four relief pitchers to close out the game. Bennett Sousa pitched 1.1 innings, allowing one hit and striking out one batter to earn the win. AJ Blubaugh, Steven Okert, Bryan Abreu, and Josh Hader each pitched one inning or less.

Hader recorded the save with one inning of work, allowing no hits and striking out one batter while walking one. The Angels' bullpen, led by Walbert Urena, who took the loss, combined with Michael Fulmer, Tayler Saucedo, and Luke Murphy to pitch the remaining innings. Urena pitched five innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out seven.

The final score was 3-2 in favor of the Houston Astros at Daikin Park, with an attendance of 21,162. The Los Angeles Angels fell to 50-77.

Sources

https://www.espn.com/mlb/game/_/gameId/401816594