Healthier Astros look to keep rolling against struggling Angels
The Houston Astros finally caught glimpses on Saturday night of the vintage Justin Verlander and Kyle Tucker they’ve missed all summer. On Sunday afternoon, the Astros just need the Ronel Blanco they’ve grown accustomed to seeing all season.
Blanco will take the mound as the Astros look to complete a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels when the American League West rivals meet in the finale of a three-game series in Anaheim, Calif. Blanco (10-6, 2.99 ERA) is slated to oppose fellow right-hander Caden Dana (1-1, 9.00). The Astros maintained their division lead on Saturday night, when Verlander tossed five innings to earn the win and Tucker hit a pinch-hit homer in a 5-3 victory.
The Astros (80-68) are 4 1/2 games ahead of the Seattle Mariners, who edged the Texas Rangers 5-4 on Saturday night. Verlander allowed two runs over five innings in recording his first win since May 24. The 41-year-old made three more starts before missing more than two months with a neck injury. He entered Friday 0-4 with a 9.68 ERA in four starts since returning to the Astros on Aug. 21. Tucker’s round-tripper was his first since June 1, two days before he fouled a ball off his left shin. He was eventually diagnosed with a small fracture and didn’t return until Sept. 6.
