Shoemaker Dazzles, Pujols Climbs To 12th On All-Time Home Run List In Angels Win
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Mike Trout had a three-run double and Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer in a big third inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 7-2 on Friday night.
The home run was the 570th of Pujols' career, moving him past Rafael Palmeiro and alone into 12th on baseball's all-time list. Pujols, 36, is now three behind Harmon Killebrew for the 11th spot.
Matt Shoemaker (3-5) had an 8.49 ERA in his first seven starts this season, but has now put together consecutive dominating efforts. After striking out a career-high 12 in 7 1/3 scoreless innings in his last start against Baltimore, he frustrated the Astros until the ninth inning.
Shoemaker struck out 11 without walking a batter, holding the Astros to seven hits, all singles. He left after allowing two hits with one out in the ninth. Right-hander Cam Bedrosian gave up a two-run single to Colin Moran.
Right-hander Matt Fiers (3-3) started for the Astros and retired the Angels in order the first two innings before coming undone in the third. The Angels had seven hits in the inning, but only two other hits the rest of the night.
Fiers left with two outs in the fourth, charged with all seven runs. Right-hander Chris Deveniski held the Angels scoreless over the final 4 1/3 innings.
Rafael Ortega got the third inning started with a double. Carlos Perez singled and Gregorio Petit walked to load the bases. After an RBI single by Kole Calhoun, Trout doubled to clear the bases. Pujols then followed with his 10th homer of the season to match Trout for the team lead. No other player on the team has more than three homers.
TRAINERS ROOM
Astros: Gomez (bruised rib cage) is expected to play in all three games this weekend in his rehab assignment for double-A Corpus Christie. Gomez, batting just .182 with no home runs and 46 strikeouts in 121 at-bats, is expected to be ready when eligible to come off the disabled list June 1.
Angels: RHP Tim Lincecum is scheduled to start in an extended spring game in Tempe, Ariz. Saturday before heading to triple-A Salt Lake City. The Angels signed the two-time Cy Young winner May 20 and hope he can join their rotation by mid-June. He had hip surgery in September.
UP NEXT
Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-6) will again attempt to turn his season around Saturday against the Angels. The reigning AL Cy Young winner has a 5.92 ERA and allowed seven runs in six innings in his last start against the Rangers.
Angels: RHP Jered Weaver (4-3) will try to continue his reinvention as a craftsman Saturday against the Astros. Weaver no longer throws hard, but is using his off-speed stuff to solid results. He will oppose a Houston team he is 5-3 with a 2.98 ERA in nine career starts.
(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
