Logan O’Hoppe’s two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Los Angeles Angels to a 9-7 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif.
The Angels rallied from a 7-5 deficit with two runs in the eighth inning to tie the game, setting up O’Hoppe’s dramatic finish in the ninth.
Kevin Pillar singled with one out against Astros closer Josh Hader, bringing up O’Hoppe, who turned on the first pitch he saw from Hader, an 85-mph slider. Astros left fielder Trey Cabbage appeared initially to make a leaping catch at the short wall just inside the foul pole. But the ball popped out of his glove as his glove hit the top of the wall when he landed.
As the Angels celebrated, the play was under review, the Astros claiming O’Hoppe ran past Pillar as he rounded first base, but the call was upheld and the Angels had their first walkoff home run since Taylor Ward’s game-winner in August 2022.
It was the fourth hit of the game for O’Hoppe, who also doubled and singled twice.
Houston’s Jose Altuve had a career high-tying four hits, including a two-run homer in the sixth inning that gave the Astros a 7-4 lead. But they did not score again.
Jose Abreu, Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers each had two hits for Houston, which had 14 hits in all.
The Angels got two hits and two stolen bases from Luis Rengifo, and two hits apiece from Willie Calhoun and Pillar. It marked the first time since May 21 — also against the Astros in a 6-5 loss in 10 innings — that the Angels scored more than four runs in a game, ending a streak of 15 games of scoring four or fewer. It was the longest such streak by the club since 1992.
Carlos Estevez (1-3), one of four Angels relievers, pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory over Hader (3-4).
Astros starter Justin Verlander went five innings and allowed four runs on seven hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter while making 101 pitches.
Angels starter Patrick Sandoval gave up five runs on eight hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out four and making 99 pitches.
Astros third baseman Alex Bregman had to leave the game after being hit by a pitch on his left hand in the sixth inning. He was hit on the same hand last Monday against the Cardinals, forcing him to miss a game.
–Field Level Media