Those are the closest things to crises in the charmed world of the Houston Astros Barry Sanders Jersey , and the two stars dramatically ended their droughts in another blowout.Springer hit a grand slam while the Astros batted around in the sixth inning, and Verlander ended his winless skid with 11 strikeouts over six dominant
innings in Houston’s 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday
night.Just about everything clicked for the defending World Series champions in their fourth win in five games, extending the second-best start in franchise
history to 66-35. Houston earned its 10th shutout victory of the season,
matching Boston for the AL lead.Four batters after Josh Reddick homered to lead off the sixth, Springer delivered his fifth career grand slam on a full count against reliever Noe
Ramirez. Springer had driven in only five runs in his previous 24 games.”That’s obviously big for our momentum,” said Springer, who hit his homer with the same bat he used to get a hit at the All-Star Game in Washington. ”You
could feel the wind come out of the stadium.”Verlander (10-5) yielded five hits while getting ample support in his third win over Los Angeles already this season. He has thrown 23 consecutive scoreless
innings over his last three starts at Angel Stadium, including a five-hit
shutout on May 16.”I like the aesthetic of pitching here Prince Amukamara Jersey ,” Verlander said.Verlander leaned heavily on his fastball, including a 99-mph dart in the fourth to strike out Ian Kinsler, his longtime teammate in Detroit, with two
runners on. Kinsler is impressed by the continuing excellence of his fellow
30-something veteran.”He’s been pretty fastball-dominant this year, and he’s got a good fastball and he uses it well,” Kinsler said.Verlander hadn’t won since June 14 despite setting career bests for strikeouts, ERA and opponents’ batting average before the break. The All-Star
right-hander walked two and allowed just one runner to reach third base.While pitching victories are often considered an antiquated, misleading statistic Ethan Westbrooks Jersey , they matter to Verlander and many other starters.”We play this game for wins, man,” he said. ”You can say all you want – you did your job, kept your team in the game, yada yada – but it’s nice to get a
win.”Shohei Ohtani had two doubles as the Angels (49-50) dropped below .500 for the first time since the season opener. Los Angeles has scored one run in the
first 18 innings after the break in what’s looking like yet another lost season
for a big-budget franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2009.Mike Trout went 0 for 2 with two walks, leaving him hitless in three consecutive games for only the second time in two months.OHTANI SLUGSOhtani had multiple extra-base hits for the third time in his rookie season. His fourth-inning double was the Halos’ only extra-base hit off Verlander. The
Japanese two-way sensation doubled again in the ninth against Tony Sipp,
boosting his average to .283. He has five extra-base hits in 13 games since
returning from the disabled list.”He’s got a really quick bat, and we saw that today on some good pitches inside Deyshawn Bond Jersey ,” Houston manager A.J. Hinch said. ”He’s got a lot of strength in his bat, and he’s a tough out when he gets into good counts. Looks
like he’s got the pull extra-base hit down pat. We have our hands full when he’s
up to bat.”SLICK NICKNick Tropeano (3-5) pitched five innings of two-hit ball in his return from injury. Tropeano walked four and recorded five strikeouts in his first start
since June 10. The former Astros prospect missed the past 31 games with right
shoulder inflammation, spending his second stretch on the disabled list this
season.BUTTERFINGERSLos Angeles committed three errors for only the second time this season. Even Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons misplayed an easy grounder from Marwin
Gonzalez, who eventually scored Houston’s second run in the fourth inning on
Tony Kemp’s double.SHOHEI THROWSOhtani played catch in the outfield for the third straight day as he continues a deliberate throwing progression. He hasn’t pitched since June 6 due
to a sprained elbow ligament, but the Halos are hopeful he’ll be back on the
mound this season.UP NEXTAstros: Lance McCullers Jr. (10-4, 3.77 ERA) hopes to return to his dominant June form after one mediocre start before the break. He has 119 strikeouts in
112 1/3 innings.Angels: Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.78 ERA) will match his career high with his 18th start already this season. He pitched eight innings of four-hit ball in May
to beat the Astros for the first time.—Another Dodgers pitcher has landed on the disabled list. This time, it’s rookie Walker Buehler.The 23-year-old right-hander underwent an MRI that revealed a right rib microfracture Mike White Jersey , an injury he sustained when he was hit by a 108-mph line drive by Colorado’s Trevor Story on May 21.Buehler remained in that game and went on to make three more starts despite feeling slight discomfort. Last Friday, he was pulled after 5 1/3 innings when
manager Dave Roberts spotted issues with Buehler’s mechanics.Roberts said the start of Buehler’s DL stint was backdated and he will be available on June 19.Buehler played catch on Tuesday to keep his arm in shape.He has made nine starts this season, going 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 11 walks.— Adidas Bo Horvat Jersey
