Heyward, Astros motoring toward another playoff visit
This browser does not support the video element.
ANAHEIM -- Ronel Blanco held the Angels scoreless for six innings and Jason Heyward had three hits, including a home run, to send the Astros to their fourth win in a row, 6-4, and a three-game sweep of the Angels on Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium.
The Astros remained 4 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Mariners in the American League West by improving to 81-68. They haven’t had a losing season in a 162-game schedule since 2014.
Blanco, who was temporarily moved to the bullpen when the Astros went to a five-man rotation, held the Angels to four hits and two walks while striking four five batters in his first start since Sept. 1. He lowered his ERA to 2.88 in a career-high 156 1/3 innings pitched this year.
Heyward got the Astros going with a leadoff homer in the third that traveled a Statcast-projected 410 feet to right-center field. He singled and scored in the fourth inning and singled and stole a base in the sixth. The Astros signed him as a free agent late last month after the Dodgers cut him loose.
This browser does not support the video element.