Jordan Lyles (2-1, 4.50) vs C.J. Wilson (4-3, 3.95)
Weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth in Anaheim tonight. The Angels came into this series against the Astros on a 10-2 surge and knowing that they could get back to .500 if they swept the four game set. Now they'll have to salvage a win tomorrow to avoid getting swept themselves. Both teams hit a pair of home runs, but Jordan Lyles outdueled C.J. Wilson, and the Astros win their 5th straight by a 5-4 score. The winning streak ties their longest of last season (4/30-5/5), and they've won as many in their last 17 (10-7) as they did in their first 40 (10-30), so they're now 20-37 overall.
On the Mound:
*Jordan Lyles continued his string of success, though he fell one out shy of an official quality start today. Regardless, he held the Angels to two runs during his time, which was one better than mound mate Wilson, and ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. His line: 5.2 IP / 6 H / 2 R / 2 ER / 1 BB / 5 K.
*Travis Blackley pitched a perfect inning of relief to end the 6th and start the 7th.
*Brad Peacock followed with 1.1 scoreless, then came out to start the 9th, but a walk and a homer sent him to the shower.
*Then Hector Ambriz was handed a one-run game, but he set the Angels down in order for his second save.
At the Plate:
*Carlos Corporan got the Astros out to an early lead with a solo HR in the first - #4 on the season for him. He fanned in his next 3 AB to finish 1 for 4.
*Carlos Pena struck next with a solo shot of his own in the 5th (#5 for him), finishing 2 for 4 with 2 R.
*Brandon Barnes had a double and a run scored as part of his 2 for 5, 2 K day.
*J.D. Martinez came through with a two-out single in the 6th to drive home Barnes for Houston's third run. J.D. is now on a six-game hitting streak since his platinum sombrero, going 1 for 4 with a steal and 2 K today.
*Matt Dominguez had the big knock in the 9th - a two-run single that would be the game winner, finishing his day 1 for 4.
*Jose Altuve had a double, and was robbed of another by one J.B. Shuck, going 1 for 5 with 2 K.
*Chris Carter had Houston's other hit, going 1 for 4 with a run scored and 2 K.
Turning Point:
The Astros turned a 3-2 lead into a 5-2 advantage with a single-single-error sequence followed by Matty D's two-run single starting the 9th. The game got uncomfortably close again in the bottom of the 9th, however, when Brad Peacock started by walking Alberto Callaspo, then served up a two-run home run to Hank Conger. Bo Porter called to the pen for Hector Ambriz, and the move paid off, as Ambriz induced a pair of ground outs, then got Mike Trout to pop up to Chris Carter for the final out.
Man of the Match:
Jordan Lyles. In seven starts now, he's allowed more than three runs only once, and more than two only twice.
Goat of the Game:
Brad Peacock. Made things more interesting than we would have liked in the 9th.
