Rookie Cristian Javier threw well into the sixth inning, protecting a big lead and sending the Houston Astros over the Los Angeles Angels 6-3 Tuesday in the opener of a doubleheader created by the approach of Hurricane Laura.
The storm was expected to make landfall on the Gulf Coast either Wednesday night or Thursday morning. The Angels-Astros game scheduled for Thursday was shifted to become part of the doubleheader, and Wednesday's game was postponed.
This was just the second twinbill in the history of Minute Maid Park, a stadium with a retractable roof that opened in 2000. The Astros played a doubleheader against the Mets on Sept. 2, 2017, following Hurricane Harvey, which caused severe flooding in the Houston area.
Los Angeles Angels shortstop David Fletcher makes a throw from his back on a base hit by the Houston Astros' Carlos Correa in the bottom of the first inning during the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at Minute Maid Park. (Kevin M. CoxThe Galveston County Daily News via AP)
Jack Mayfield's two-run single capped a five-run first inning. Two runs scored on a throwing error by Jose Suarez (0-2).
Javier (3-1) retired 13 of the first 15 batters before Jason Castro got an RBI single with one out in the fifth for the Angels’ first hit.
Two batters after Castro’s single, Brian Goodwin hit an RBI double to cut Houston’s lead to 6-2. Tommy La Stella led off the sixth with a solo home run.
Houston Astros' Jose Altuve, bottom, and Carlos Correa, top, celebrate after scoring on the throwing error by Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Suarez during the first inning of the first game of a doubleheader baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Blake Taylor got the final out of the sixth, and Ryan Pressly pitched the seventh for his fourth save.
Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa scored on the throwing error by Suarez on an infield single by Yuli Gurriel. Josh Reddick added an RBI single before Mayfield’s single.
Gurriel hit an RBI double in the fourth.
Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel (10) watches his RBI double in front of Los Angeles Angels catcher Jason Castro during the fourth inning of the first game of a baseball doubleheader Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Suarez was tagged for five runs on five hits with four walks and two strikeouts in an inning. Suarez has allowed 10 runs over 2 1/3 innings this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: RHP Jaime Barria was added as the 29th player for the doubleheader. Barria allowed one run over five innings in the first game of the twinbill.
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Brian Goodwin, right, watches his one run double in front of Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, left, during the inning of the first game of a doubleheader baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Houston. (AP PhotoMichael Wyke)
Astros: OF George Springer sat out the first game of the doubleheader with a bruised left elbow after getting hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of Monday’s game. … RHP Humberto Castellanos was added as the 29th player for the doubleheader.
SCHEDULE CHANGE
Wednesday’s postponement will be made up on Sept. 5 as part of a doubleheader at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The Angels will be the home team for the first game of the twinbill, and the Astros will be the home team for the second game. Both games will be seven innings.
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Julio Teheran (0-2, 10.38) will start the second game of the doubleheader. He’s allowed at least four runs in each of his last three appearances.
Astros: RHP Brandon Bielak (3-1, 4.37) will start the second game looking to rebound after getting roughed up for seven runs in 1 1/3 innings in his last outing Aug. 22 against the Padres.
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