HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros have plugged in several different players at center field this season hoping one of them would get going at the plate and show they can contribute as the team looks toward another deep playoff run.
On Friday night, Chas McCormick showed signs that he could fill that role with one of his best games of the season with a two-run homer and three RBIs to lead Houston to a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Jeremy Peña hit a solo homer and McCormick’s shot in the seventh put the Astros on top.
Manager Dusty Baker was asked about the importance of McCormick stepping up offensively.
“That’s mandatory,” he said. “That’s necessary. So that’s about how I match them up to try to have them in the position to succeed. And that was was good to see tonight.”
The Astros trailed by one entering the seventh when Trey Mancini led off with a single. McCormick then connected on his homer off Andrew Wantz (2-1) to put Houston ahead 3-2.
“We kind of came out a little slow offensively, but that’s why you get the full nine innings to get the bats going,” McCormick said. “The home run felt really good, swing felt really good and I was happy about the win.”
The Astros added an insurance run in the eighth when McCormick drew a bases-loaded walk off José Marte.
Houston starter Lance McCullers Jr. (3-1) gave up four hits and two runs with six strikeouts in a season-high seven innings for his second straight win.
It was just he fifth start of the season for McCullers, who missed the first four months of the season with a forearm injury.
“I’ve been looking forward to being a little more efficient and to be able to dip into that 100-plus (pitch) range,” he said. “And they gave me the opportunity tonight. So I’m glad that I executed when I needed to and finished strong.”
Closer Ryan Pressly allowed a solo homer to Taylor Ward with one out in the ninth before striking out the next two batters to get his 26th save in his return from the injured list after being out since August 22 with a neck strain.
The only damage Los Angeles did against McCullers was a two-run homer by Mike Trout that made it 2-0 in the sixth. It was the fifth straight game in which Trout has homered, for the longest streak of his career and tying a franchise record.
“He hasn’t hit well in this park,” interim manager Phil Nevin said. “So to see him get one out of here was nice.”
Trout tied Bobby Bonds, who did it from Aug. 2-7, 1977, for the longest streak in Angels’ history. It was Trout’s 33rd homer to tie him with teammate Shohei Ohtani for second-most home runs in the American League behind Aaron Judge, who has 55 for the New York Yankees.
The Astros had managed just one hit off Michael Lorenzen when Peña homered into the seats in right field to cut the lead to 2-1 with one out in the sixth
Lorenzen allowed three hits and one run with four walks in his return after missing 56 games with a strained right shoulder.
“I thought his stuff was good,” Nevin said. “He made some really good pitches tonight against a really good lineup and that was good to see.”
He struggled with control early and his third walk of the second inning loaded the bases with two outs. But Martín Maldonado grounded into a force out to allow Lorenzen to escape the jam. He walked Bregman to start the fourth, but still faced the minimum in that inning when Bregman was caught stealing for the third out.
The Astros didn’t get a hit until McCormick singled to start the fifth inning. He was erased when David Hensley grounded into a double play before Lorenzen retired Maldonado to end the inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Angels: OF Mickey Moniak was reinstated from the injured list before Friday’s game. He had missed 29 games with a fractured middle finger on his left hand. … RHP Touki Toussaint was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake City and OF Ryan Aguilar was designated for assignment to make room for Moniak and Lorenzen on the roster. … C Max Stassi was removed from the game in the seventh inning as a precaution after taking a foul tip off his mask.
Astros: RHP Brandon Bielak was optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land to free up a roster spot for Pressly.
UP NEXT
Ohtani (11-8, 2.58) starts for Los Angeles against Jose Urquidy (13-5, 3.51) when the series continues Saturday night.
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