Angels break 6-run deficit to end losing streak, beat Astros in 10th place – OCRegister

Angels break 6 run deficit to end losing streak beat Astros

Mike Moustakas of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after hitting a three run home run in the seventh inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani connects to a solo home run during the ninth inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Mauricio Dubon congratulates the Houston Astros’ Chas McCormick on his solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Yainer Diaz congratulates the Houston Astros’ Chas McCormick on his solo home run in the eighth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Hunter Renfroe congratulates Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Moustakas on his triple home run in the seventh inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Moustakas runs to the dugout as fans react after hitting a triple home run in the seventh inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Mike Moustakas of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after hitting a three run home run in the seventh inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Mike Moustakas of the Los Angeles Angels reacts after hitting a three run home run in the seventh inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Ryne Stanek of the Houston Astros throws during the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani strikes as Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado looks on during the seventh inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is hit by a foul tip while Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado looks on during the seventh inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani is hit by a foul tip while Houston Astros’ Martin Maldonado looks on during the seventh inning of a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • The Houston Astros’ Mauricio Dubon scores for an RBI single in the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Chas McCormick reacts in the dugout after scoring an RBI hit from the Houston Astros’ Mauricio Dubon in the seventh inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels hits out during the first inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels plays in the third inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

  • Luis Rengifo of the Los Angeles Angels hits a three-run home run in the second inning of a game against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 15, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM — The Angels ended their losing streak in a memorable way. Now they have to see if it becomes more than an isolated highlight in a disappointing season.

After being six runs down in the seventh inning and three runs down in the ninth, the Angels clinched a 13-12 win over the Houston Astros in 10 innings Saturday night.

“Obviously it gives us a lot of momentum going forward, the overall performance of the team,” said Mike Moustakas, whose three-run homer equalized in the seventh game. “A lot happened throughout the game. And we found a way to come back and win as a team. I think that’s proof for all of us in this clubhouse that we can do it. It was a lot of fun how it all ended.”

The Angels scored the winner when shortstop Grae Kessinger missed a throw when he attempted a double play after a groundball hit by Taylor Ward. Trey Cabbage, the Angels’ automatic runner, fought for the winner when he missed the throw.

Angels seamer Carlos Estévez stranded the Astros’ automatic runner early in the inning. He got an assist from right fielder Hunter Renfroe, who caught a foul ball well while leaning in the stands.

It was the first time since Aug. 19, 2021, that the Angels came back from a six-run deficit to win. In that game in Detroit, they actually overcame a franchise-record eight-run deficit.

Manager Phil Nevin used the comeback as proof his players are still struggling, despite entering the game with a 1-1 record, severely denting their playoff hopes before the August 1 close.

“If anyone ever says their team doesn’t care, they don’t fight, they don’t play hard, I will fight anyone who says that,” Nevin said. “They do. They prepare to win. They come every day to win. It’s been a tough stretch. We’re far from out. We have another game tomorrow. We’ll enjoy it for a while. But “It could certainly make a difference if one came down our path like that. I don’t know. But it certainly feels good right now.”

The Angels were six runs down in the seventh before homers from Zach Neto and Moustakas equalized, and they were three runs down again when they hit at the bottom of the ninth run.

Shohei Ohtani led the inning against Astros closer Ryan Pressley with his 33rd home run of the season.

Ward and Mickey Moniak then performed a single, each of them their third hit of the night. Eduardo Escobar followed with his second hit of the night and invited the bases.

A run scored on a passed ball. An out later, Renfroe hit a single to level the game, but Matt Thaiss hit and pinch-hitter Cabbage hit a flyout, sending the game into overtime.

The thrilling comeback continued a period where the Angels batsmen actually did a good job replacing injured midfielders like Mike Trout, Brandon Drury and Anthony Rendon.

In the first six games of the losing streak, the Angels had racked up 4.2 runs per game, but the problem was that they were conceding 8.5 runs per game.

“Our offense is good,” Nevin said. “Look at the leaders. We’re in the top five in every category: home runs, OPS, runs scored. We rank eighth in baseball on all runs scored. We’re doing our part, not having many bodies lately. We need to pitch better.”

The pattern continued Saturday night.

Starter Reid Detmers gave up four runs in six innings and then right-hander Chris Devenski gave up five runs in the seventh, giving the Angels a 9-3 hole.

Just when it looked like they were about to face a terrible loss, the batsmen came alive.

However, at the end of the seventh set, Thaiss managed a walk and then Neto hit a two-run home run, his first hit since he was taken off the injured list a day earlier. It was also his second home run against Astros All-Star starter Framber Valdez.

That was all for Valdez, who also conceded a three-run home run to Luis Rengifo in the second inning.

The Astros brought in Ryne Stanek, who joined Ward and dropped singles to Moniak and Escobar, leading to another run. Moustakas then hit a three-run home run, leveling the game 9-9.

Left-hander Matt Moore conceded a crucial two-run home run against Chas McCormick in the eighth inning. It was Moore’s first game after missing more than a month with an oblique injury.

The Astros then scored an unearned run on Tucker Davidson at the bottom of ninth place, extending their lead to three runs.

At this point, it appeared the Angels would continue their winning streak, with Detmers conceding the loss after allowing four runs in six innings. He gave up two runs on a walk and two hits in the third, but his real problem came in the fourth. Detmers batted the first two batsmen of the inning before marching the next two, No. 7 batsman Yainer Diaz and No. 8 batsman McCormick. Detmers then threw a curveball to Martin Maldonado, who snapped it just inside the left field line for a two-run double and gave the Astros a 4-3 lead.

“To accompany the seventh and eighth hitters and then let Maldy have a pitch, he’ll tell you the same thing, I’m not going to attack him for being an elite pitcher who can be with his stuff, those things don’t. “It’s not happening,” Nevin said. “That couldn’t happen.”

Detmers knocked out the last seven batsmen he faced to keep the Angels in the game before Devenski gave up five runs to five hits in the seventh. Devenski had a 3.10 ERA on June 29, but he has allowed at least one run in his last five games.

However, despite the tough night on the hill, the Angels kept hitting.

“It’s a good lineup, a great lineup,” said Moustakas. “When we get our boys back it will be even better. We have to go out there and keep finding ways to get more runs and keep finding ways to win ball games. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how it’s done. As long as you get a W, that’s a good thing.”