Astros win fifth straight with shutout of Angels
HOUSTON -- Alex Bregman turned a multi-hit game and an RBI single into sufficient run support as the Houston Astros extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night at Minute Maid Park.
Bregman, filling in at shortstop for Carlos Correa, finished 2-for-3. His run-scoring hit to center field with one out in the second inning plated Evan Gattis, who singled and reached second base on a throwing error by Angels third baseman Yunel Escobar.
The early run support delivered right-hander Charlie Morton (1-1) his first victory with the Astros.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve added a sacrifice fly in the third inning that scored George Springer and a RBI double in the eighth off Yusmeiro Petit that scored Josh Reddick, who opened the inning with a double. Altuve was 1-for-3.
The Angels dropped their sixth consecutive game and second in succession via shutout. They wasted a strong start from right-hander Jesse Chavez (1-2), who allowed two runs, seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts in seven innings. The Angels have scored nine runs during their skid.
Astros right-handers Chris Devenski, Luke Gregerson and Ken Giles combined to work four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Giles posted his third save.
That Morton posted five scoreless innings was akin to a feat of sleight of hand, as he found trouble two outs into the first inning and failed to produce a clean frame.
Morton stranded two baserunners in the first, left the bases loaded in the second and left runners on the corners in the third. He induced harmless fly balls from C.J. Cron and Ben Revere to elude danger in the first and second. Andrelton Simmons lined out to third to cap the third. Simmons grounded out to Altuve at second to close the fifth.
Altuve was integral in the fourth, turning a 4-3 inning-ending double play that erased Martin Maldonado after a one-out walk. Morton allowed five hits and two walks while striking out three. He wasn't sharp, but he departed with the lead.
NOTES: Astros SS Carlos Correa was held out of the starting lineup as he continues to deal with residual soreness after being hit by a pitch in the left hand Saturday in Oakland. Correa was originally slated to return to action, but the club deemed additional rest as beneficial. ... Angels DH Albert Pujols was given the day off, his first this season. Manager Mike Scioscia plans to periodically get Pujols, batting .200 with one home run and eight RBIs, "off his feet." ... The Astros reworked their rotation after a rainout postponed their series finale in Oakland on Sunday. LHP Dallas Keuchel and RHP Lance McCullers will stay on schedule and pitch the final two games against the Angels. RHP Mike Fiers will have his start bumped back to Friday at Tampa Bay against the Rays.