Jon Singleton’s two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning helped the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Thursday night.
The score was tied 1-1 when Ryan Miller (0-1) walked Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker to start the eighth inning. Yainer Diaz then hit a fielder’s choice that moved Alvarez to third base.
Jeremy Peña grounded out on a ball that barely rolled in front of the batter’s box, and the Angels decided to intentionally walk Victor Caratini to load the bases.
Singleton then hit a double on a two-strike count, sending a line drive to center field that scored Alvarez and Diaz.
“It means a lot,” Singleton said. “Any time you get a chance like that to come through for the ballclub, it feels good.”
With this win, Houston’s magic number to clinch the AL West is down to five.
Yusei Kikuchi gave up five hits and one run while striking out nine in six innings, helping the Astros improve to 9-0 in his nine starts since being traded from Toronto on July 29.
“He throws strikes, he’s a competitor,” manager Joe Espada said. “The guys love playing behind him. We expect to win every single time he’s on the mound. When he’s on the mound, just his attitude and energy, you feel it.”
Kikuchi has a record of 5-0 with a 3.00 ERA and an opponent batting average of .189, with 68 strikeouts since joining Houston.
“As soon as I got traded, my mindset was I’m going to win every game for this ballclub every time I’m out there on the mound,” Kikuchi said through an interpreter. “So it seems like it’s working out right now.”
Taylor Ward hit a home run to start the game for the Angels, who went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position, ending a two-game winning streak.
In the eighth inning, Zach Neto doubled with one out and advanced to third on a groundout by Nolan Schanuel. However, Bryan Abreu (3-3) retired Brandon Drury on a grounder.
