An ugly win is still a win.
The Astros weren’t exactly in top form on Friday night against the Angels. Yes, they started the game with back-to-back solo home runs from Jeremy Peña and Isaac Paredes before a single out was recorded. That was a promising start.
Then nothing else until extra innings.
For most of the evening, the lineup didn’t generate much traction against Yusei Kikuchi and the Angels’ bullpen. Jose Altuve and Yainer Díaz combined for seven strikeouts. Seven of the team’s nine hits came from three players (Peña, Paredes, and Jake Meyers). One-for-eight as a team with runners in scoring position. To win, the Astros needed that vaunted run prevention reputation this season to prove accurate once again.
For Hunter Brown, though, it wasn’t exactly his best start. To be clear, he was still plenty good enough, as evidenced by his five innings of one-run ball with two hits and a pair of walks allowed. But he still had only four whiffs on 31 swings, striking out four on 87 pitches. He did escape a jam or two, however, and had a bit of drama with Zach Neto about a sinker that ran in to hit him.
Hunter Brown on the hit-by-pitch and exchange with Zach Neto: “Honestly, he almost swung. So I don’t know what he’s talking about. Guy stands right on top of the plate, doesn’t like when he gets hit, that’s his problem.”
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) June 21, 2025
Joe Espada’s decision to remove Brown after five innings prompted a raised eyebrow from me. Again, only 87 pitches, but not exactly at his best, entering third time through the order territory. Thankfully, Bryan King had some heroics to escape a bases-loaded jam that he inherited from Shawn Dubin, only to give up the tying run to Christian Moore in the next inning. Bryan Abreu also had his issues, loading the bases before escaping his own jam. Josh Hader would keep the game tied in the ninth, with Bennett Sousa closing the door in the tenth for the Astros to win.
So, how about that winning run? It came off a wild pitch, with no outs. The lineup, however, couldn’t capitalize more on the opportunity with three consecutive outs. Of course, picking up that one run, no matter how it occurred, was the difference.
Again, this game wasn’t exactly a well played one. It also didn’t help that the home plate umpire had issues with calling a consistent strike zone, but a win is a win. Brandon Walter will start on Saturday opposite of José Soriano.