Wilson Pulled in Fourth Inning, Angels Lose Opener to Astros

Sep 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher C.J. Wilson (33) hands the ball to manager Mike Scioscia (14) during a pitching change in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
As with all good things, the Los Angeles Angels’ season-high six-game winning streak came to an end Tuesday night. C.J. Wilson’s fate was sealed well before Houston tagged him for five runs through 3 1/3 innings.
The left-hander allowed his first four batters to reach base; three straight notched RBIs. Second baseman Jose Altuve led the charge recording his second consecutive four-hit game in going 4-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs, and his 50th steal of the season. Altuve’s third-inning homer-his seventh overall-proved to be the winning run as Houston extended their lead to 4-0.
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Yoslan Herrera relieved Wilson (10-9) but he, like ever Angel reliever, allowed at least one hit. A normally dependable bullpen gave up three runs-one earned- on seven hits, epitomized by a demoralizing fifth inning. Dexter Fowler led off with a single and Gordon Beckham’s fielding error placed runners on first and second. The Astros scored two unearned runs off Cam Bedrosian en route to an 8-3 victory.
Halo fans can find solace in knowing that every reliever used outside of Herrera and Mike Morin were September call-ups.
After averaging 4.5 runs per game against Oakland over the weekend, it took the Angels 6 1/3 innings to score off Astros starter Brad Peacock (4-8). They went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and didn’t get an extra-base hit until the seventh. If it wasn’t for Erick Aybar extending his hitting streak to 17 games, the Angels offense wouldn’t have done anything worth noting.
Oakland’s loss keeps the Angels 4.5 games up in the American League West standings. Their 11 wins over Houston are the most among Major League team played.