Sept. 21 – A veteran player continually headed in the wrong direction when it comes to postseason roster construction, Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker takes a crucial step to show that if Houston qualifies for the postseason, he can be at his best.
The Astros (84-70) beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-7 on Friday to reduce the AL West title to four games.
The third game of the four-game series is Saturday night in Houston. The Astros won the opener 3-1 on Thursday and have won seven of their last nine games.
While veteran Justin Verlander struggled again Friday — he is 1-4 with an 8.89 ERA in six starts since returning from the injured list in late August — Tucker had his seventh four-hit performance of his career.
Tucker went 4 for 5, scored 3 runs and hit his 21st home run. It was the first time in 14 months that he had 4 hits in a game. It was his third multi-hit game since returning on September 6 after spending three months on the injured list with a fractured right tibia.
“He’s got a great feel for the ball,” Astros manager Joe Espada said of Tucker. “Just quality at-bats. Looks like his time is coming.”
Espada deflected inquiries about Verlander and his viability as a playoff contributor.
Verlander is 10-7 with a 3.74 ERA in 22 postseason games with the Astros, including 21 starts, and hasn’t looked like the three-time Cy Young Award winner since missing 54 games because of neck trouble. As the regular season winds down, the Astros have better postseason rotation options.
“I’m not going to discuss the playoff implications,” Espada said. “We’re trying to get to the playoffs and we’re trying to make these guys successful so we can get to the playoffs.”
Right-hander Ronel Blanco (11-6, 2.88 ERA) will start for Houston on Saturday.
Blanco has been scoreless in three straight games, including Sunday’s game against the Angels when he allowed four hits, two runs and five strikeouts in six innings in a 6-4 win. It was his first time against the Angels in his career.
Blanco didn’t allow a decision in his final four starts in August, posting a 4.19 ERA in 19 1/3 innings.
Left-hander Reid Detmers (4-7, 6.05 ERA) is the starter for the Angels (62-92).
Detmers was the Angels’ record-setting pitcher in Monday’s 8-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox, giving up seven runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking three in 5 1/3 innings. Detmers has three wins in his first three starts and is 1-7 with a 7.43 ERA in his last 12 starts.
Detmers has a 1-3 record with a 7.17 ERA in eight career starts against the Astros, including an 0-3 record with an ERA as high as 13.50 in three starts at Houston. In his last game against Houston on May 20, he allowed six runs on eight hits in four innings, striking out three and walking one. He did not earn the decision in a 9-7 win on the road.
One night after committing three errors, Angels rookie third baseman Eric Wagman returned to the starting lineup. He went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs, adding a clean defensive performance. It was his second three-hit game of the week.
“That’s wonderful,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “That’s what he should do. I want him to know we have confidence in him. He’s a young kid. I don’t want him to start wandering.”
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