Live-Blogging: Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros 04/18/2022

​Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball’. Tonight, it is an American League Western Division showdown, between Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros.
 
Angels have a lead in the American League West. Will it hold up in this 3-game series against Astros? Will find out in the next three days.
 
For the Astros, they would like to continue their success in making it back to the World Series. They are going to do it minus their former shortstop Carlos Correa, who is now a member of the Minnesota Twins.
 
Tonight’s Starting Pitchers are a pair of right-handers. Michael Lorenzen will start for the Angels and Luis Garcia will go for the Astros.
 
It is Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros, coming up shortly.
​
Starting Lineups:
Los Angeles Angels:

1. Shohei Ohtani (LHB), DH
2. Taylor Ward, RF
3. Jared Walsh (LHB), 1B
4. Max Stassi, C
5. Brandon Marsh (LHB), CF
6. Jack Mayfield (RHB), 3B
7. Jo Adell (RHB), LF
8. Tyler Wade (LHB), 2B
9. Andrew Velazquez, SS

 
Houston Astros:

1. Jose Altuve (RHB), 2B
2. Michael Brantley (LHB), LF
3. Alex Bregman (RHB), 3B
4. Yordan Alvarez (LHB), DH
5. Yuli Gurriel (RHB), 1B
6. Kyle Tucker (LHB), RF
7. Jeremy Pena (RHB), SS
8. Jose Siri (RHB), CF

     9. Martin Maldonado (RHB), C

MLB: Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros 04/18/2022

Angels are in their road gray uniforms and red caps with an 'A' on the cap. While Astros will be in their home white with navy caps with an orange star and white 'H' on the hat.

This is the Houston Astros Home Opener. 

Top of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Ohtani
2. Ward
3. Walsh
Luis Garcia (RHP) now starting as Houston Astros Pitcher.
MLB Scores:
First Pitch around 7:13 pm CDT.
Ohtani strikes out on a foul tip caught by Maldonado (5 pitches). 1 out.
Ward strikes out swining (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Walsh strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Garcia strikes out the side, in their half of 1st Inning.

Middle of 1st Inning:
LAA 0, HOU 0

Bottom of 1st Inning:
Due Up:
1. Altuve
2. Brantley
3. Bregman
Michael Lorenzen (RHP) now starting as Angels Pitcher.
​Last Year, I Live-Blogged Angels 7-4 Victory Over Cleveland; Ohtani 2-3, HR, 3 RBI in That Game 
Altuve grounds out to Velasquez (4 pitches). 1 out.
Brantley singles to left field (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Bregman flies out to a running Marsh (6 pitches). 2 outs.
HOME RUN: Yordan Alvarez sends a baseball to the moon, off Michael Lorenzen (5 pitches). Brantley scores. LAA 0, HOU 2
Gurriel flies out to Adell (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros get a pair of runs, off the moon shot 2-run homer by Yordan Alvarez.


End of 1st Inning:
LAA 0, HOU 2

Top of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
4. Stassi 
5. Marsh
6. Mayfield
Garcia currently at 15 pitches.
Astros Play-by-Play Man Todd Kalas says that the roof of Minute Maid Park was having some issues. The roof is closed tonight. 
Stassi draws a lead-off walk (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Marsh doubles off the left field scoreboard (3 pitches). Stassi advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Mayfield reaches on a 5-2 fielder's choice (1 pitch). Stassi is out at home. Marsh advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. 1 out.
Angels Manger Joe Maddon talking to Home Plate Umpire Dan Bellino about Garcia's stretch. 
Adell strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 2 outs.
RBI-DOUBLE: Wade hits a 2-out double to left center field corner (2 pitches). Marsh and Mayfield score. LAA 2, HOU 2
Velasquez flies out to Tucker (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Angels get a pair of runs, but strand a base runner at second base.

Middle of 2nd Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 2nd Inning:
Due Up:
6. Tucker
7. Pena
8. Siri
Lorenzen currently at 24 pitches.
​Tucker flies out to Adell (2 pitches). 1 out.
Pena strikes out swinging (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Siri grounds out to Velasquez (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 2nd Inning.


End of 2nd Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 2

Top of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
1. Ohtani, 0-1
2. Ward, 0-1
3. Walsh, 0-1
Garcia currently at 34 pitches.
​Sixers & Mavs Leading In Their Respective Game 2s of the NBA Playoffs 
Ohtani hits a lead-off single to right field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Ward flies out to Tucker at the right field wall (2 pitches). 1 out.
Walsh flies out to Bregman (3 pitches). 2 outs.
Stassi flies out to a jumping Siri at the left center field wall (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Angles strand Shohei Ohtani on base.


Middle of 3rd Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 3rd Inning:
Due Up:
9. Maldonado
1. Altuve, 0-1
2. Brantley, 1-1
Lorenzen currently at 32 pitches.
Maldonado strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 1 out.
Altuve grounds out to Mayfield (7 pitches). 2 outs.
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Brantley flies out to Adell (5 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros go down 1-2-3, in their half of 3rd Inning.

End of 3rd Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 2

Top of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
5. Marsh, 1-1
6. Mayfield, 0-1
7. Adell, 0-1
Garcia currently at 44 pitches.
​MLB Scores:
Marsh grounds out to Altuve (2 pitches). 1 out.
Mayfield grounds out to Pena (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Adell strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 3 outs.
Angels go down 1-2-3, in their half of 4th Inning.


Middle of 4th Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 2

Bottom of 4th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Bregman, 0-1
4. Alvarez, 1-1, HR, 2 RBI
5. Gurriel, 0-1
Lorenzen currently at 51 pitches.
Bregman hits a lead-off single to right field (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Alvarez singles to center field (2 pitches). Bregman moves to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd.
Gurriel flies out to Wade (5 pitches). 1 out.
Tucker draws a bases loaded walk (7 pitches). 
ANGELS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: LAA 4, HOU 5
Pena draws an RBI-Walk (7 pitches). Bregman scores. Alvarez and Tucker move 90 feet. Bases Loaded. LAA 2, HOU 3
Mike Mayers (RHP) warming up in Angels Bullpen.
Siri gets hit by a pitch (2 pitches). Alvarez scores. Tucker and Pena move 90 feet. 
MANAGER'S CHALLENGE: Maddon challenging the hit by pitch. Call Stands. Bases Loaded. LAA 2, HOU 4
PITCHING CHANGE: Mike Mayers (RHP) replaces Michael Lorenzen (Responsible for Bases Loaded), as Angels Pitcher.
​Maldonado hits into the infield fly rule (1 pitch). 2 outs.
Altuve grounds out to Mayfield (). 3 outs.
Astros scored 2 runs, but strand the bases loaded.

End of 4th Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 4

Top of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
8. Wade, 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI
9. Velasquez, 0-1
1. Ohtani, 1-2
Garcia currently at 53 pitches.
​Wade pops out to Pena (3 pitches). 1 out.
Velasquez gets called out on strikes (4 pitches). 2 outs.
Ohtani flies out to Brantley (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Angels go down 1-2-3, in their half of 5th Inning.


Middle of 5th Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 4

Bottom of 5th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Brantley, 1-2
3. Bregman, 1-2
4. Alvarez, 2-2, HR, 2 RBI
​Mayers currently at 5 pitches.
Brantley flies out to Marsh (1 pitch). 1 out.
Bregman draws a base on balls (5 pitches). Runner on 1st.
ANGELS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: LAA 3, HOU 5
Alvarez gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Gurriel grounds into 6-4 fielder's choice (3 pitches). 3 outs.

​
End of 5th Inning:
LAA 2, HOU 4

Top of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
2. Ward, 0-2
3. Walsh, 0-2
4. Stassi, 0-1
Garcia currently at 61 pitches.
Sixers Up 2-0; Jazz Leading Mavericks in Dallas 
Ward grounds out to Bregman (5 pitches). 1 out.
Austin Warren (RHP) warming up in Angels Bullpen.
Walsh gets called out on strikes (5 pitches). 2 outs.
Phil Maton (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
HOME RUN: Max Stassi hits a 2-out home run off Luis Garcia (1 pitch). LAA 3, HOU 4
PITCHING CHANGE: Phil Maton (RHP) replaces Luis Garcia, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
Marsh flies out to Brantley (2 pitches). 3 outs.
Angels get a run, off the solo homer by Max Stassi.

Middle of 6th Inning:
LAA 3, HOU 4

Bottom of 6th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Tucker, 0-1
7. Pena, 0-1, RBI
8. Siri, 0-1, RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Austin Warren (RHP) replaces Mike Mayers, as Los Angeles Angels Pitcher.
​Stars Facing Canucks Shortly 
Tucker draws a base on balls (6 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Pena bunt singles to infield lawn, on third base side (1 pitch). Tucker advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Siri flies out to Ward (5 pitches). Tucker advances to 3rd. Runners on 1st & 3rd. 1 out.
RBI-SAFETY-SQUEEZE: Maldonado bunts an RBI-Safety-Squeeze to Warren (1 pitch). Tucker scores. Pena moves to 2nd. Runner on 2nd. 2 outs. LAA 3, HOU 5
Archie Bradley (RHP) warming up in Angels Bullpen.
Altuve draws a 2-out walk (7 pitches). Runners on 1st & 2nd.
PITCHING CHANGE: Archie Bradley (RHP) replaces Austin Warren (Responsible for Runners on 1st & 2nd), as Los Angeles Angels Pitcher. LAA 3, HOU 5
​Brantley grounds out to Walsh, unassisted (1 pitch). 3 outs.
Astros get a run, but strand a pair of base runners.

End of 6th Inning:
LAA 3, HOU 5

Top of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Mayfield, 0-2
7. Adell, 0-2
8. Wade, 1-2, 2 RBI
Maton currenty at 2 pitches.
MLB Scores:
Mayfield hits a lead-off single to left field (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Adell singles to left field (2 pitches). Mayfield advances to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd.
Wade sacrifice bunts to Maton (1 pitch). Mayfield and Adell move 90 feet. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. 1 out.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #1: MVR: LAA 3, HOU 4
Velasquez bunt grounds out to Maton (2 pitches). Runners stay on their base. Runners on 2nd & 3rd. 2 outs.
ASTROS MOUND VISIT #2: MVR: LAA 3, HOU 3
Astros elect to intentional walk Ohtani, after a 2-0 count (2 pitches). Bases Loaded.
Ward flies out to Altuve (4 pitches). 3 outs.
Angels strand the bases loaded.

Middle of 7th Inning:
LAA 3, HOU 5

Bottom of 7th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Bregman, 1-2
4. Alvarez, 2-3, HR, 2 RBI
5. Gurriel, 0-3
​Bradley currently at 1 pitch.
Yesterday, I Live-Blogged Cubs 6-4 Victory Over Rockies
Rafael Montero (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Bregman hits a lead-off double to right center field (7 pitches). Runner on 2nd.
HOME RUN: Yordan Alvarez hits his 2nd homer of the night (7 pitches). This time off Archie Bradley. Bregman score. LAA 3, HOU 7
​Gurriel gets called out on strikes (3 pitches). 1 out.
Kenny Rosenburg (LHP) warming up in Angels Bullpen.
Tucker flies out to Marsh (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Pena grounds out to Mayfield (3 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros get 2 runs, off the 2nd homer of the night by Yordan Alvarez.


End of 7th Inning:
LAA 3, HOU 7

Top of 8th Inning:
Due Up:
3. Walsh, 0-3
4. Stassi, 1-2, HR, RBI
5. Marsh, 1-3
PITCHING CHANGE: Rafael Montero (RHP) replaces Phil Maton, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
​Sixers, Mavericks Up 2-0 in Their Respective Series; Nuggets Leading Warriors 2nd Quarter 
Walsh gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 1 out.
Stassi strikes out swinging (6 pitches). 2 outs.
Marsh strikes out swinging (4 pitches).  3 outs.
Angels go down 1-2-3, in their half of 8th Inning.


Middle of 8th Inning:
LAA 3, HOU 7

Bottom of 8th Inning:
8. Siri, 0-2, RBI
9. Maldonado, 0-2, RBI
1. Altuve, 0-3
​PITCHING CHANGE: Kenny Rosenberg (LHP) replaces Archie Bradley, as Los Angeles Angels Pitcher.
Canucks Leading Stars in 1st Period 
Siri strikes out swinging (3 pitches). 1 out.
Hector Neris (RHP) warming up in Astros Pitcher.
Maldonado draws a base on balls (4 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Alutve hits an infield single to third base (3 pitches). Maldonado advances to 2nd. Runner on 2nd.
PINCH-RUNNING: Aledmys Diaz pinch-running for an injured Jose Altuve.
RBI-SINGLE: Brantley hits an RBI-Single to center field (4 pitches). Maldonado scores. Diaz moves to 2nd. Runners on 1st & 2nd. LAA 3, HOU 8
Bregman pops out to Velasquez (2 pitches). 2 outs.
Bryan Abreu (RHP) warming up in Astros Bullpen.
Alvarez strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 3 outs.
Astros strand a pair of base runners.


End of 8th Inning:
LAA 3, HOU 8

Top of 9th Inning:
Due Up:
6. Mayfield, 1-3
7. Adell, 1-3
8. Wade, 1-2, 2 RBI
PITCHING CHANGE: Hector Neris (RHP) replaces Rafael Montero, as Houston Astros Pitcher.
Mayfield gets hit by a pitch (3 pitches). Runner on 1st.
Adell strikes out swinging (7 pitches). 1 out.
Wade gets called out on strikes (6 pitches). 2 outs.
With Velasquez at-bat, Mayfield moved to 3rd, on a couple of defensive indifferences. Runner on 3rd. 
Velasquez flies out to Siri (7 pitches). 3 outs.
Angels strand a base runner.

Final:
LAA 3, HOU 8
LAA: (6-5)
HOU: (6-4)
W: Garcia (1-0)
L: Lorenzen (1-1)
PoG: Yordan Alvarez (HOU) 3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI
ToG: 3:22

Final Thoughts:
Astros got a spark from Yordan Alvarez. He hit two 2-run homers, in Astros Home Opener.

For the Angels, their best chance came in the Top of 7th Inning. Runners on 2nd & 3rd, 1 out, and Shohei Ohtani on deck. And Andrew Velasquez bunt grounds out in a RBI situation.

Same two teams tomorrow. Patrick Sandoval will start for the Angels. While Framber Alvarez will start for the Astros. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Junior. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on Baseball'. Thanks for visiting this page.