Angels vs. Astros Game Highlights (9/20/24) | MLB Highlights

Summary

In a thrilling baseball game, Justin Verlander, aiming to re-enter the top 10 all-time strikeout list, starts for the Astros against the Angels. Despite a high ERA, Verlander shows promise with a strong start. The Astros dominate with key hits from Alvarez, Tucker, and a three-run homer by Bregman. Jake Meyers also hits a three-run homer extending the lead. The Angels fight back with a double by Wagman, but the Astros secure an 8-4 win, with Tucker's four-hit night and Josh Hader's 33rd save of the season.

Takeaways

• 🥎 Justin Verlander is aiming to increase his strikeout count and re-enter the top 10 list, having over 3,000 strikeouts.
• 📉 Verlander's recent performance has been underwhelming with a 5.20 ERA, and an 8.34 ERA in his last five starts post-injury.
• 🏟️ The game is the final Friday of the season, indicating it's a crucial match for both teams.
• ⚾️ The Astros' first inning was scoreless, with Verlander showing signs of improvement compared to his previous start.
• 👍 Alex Bregman made a good play, contributing to the team's defense.
• 🚫 Verlander struck out Tyler Anderson, showcasing his potential to climb the strikeout leaderboard.
• 🎉 Yer Diaz and Mauricio Dubon contributed to the Astros' offense, with Diaz getting a lead-off single and Dubon scoring on a sacrifice fly.
• 🌟 Alex Bregman hit a home run, his 24th of the season, showcasing his power at the plate.
• 📈 The Astros took the lead with a series of strong hits, including a three-run home run by Jake Meyers.
• 👏 The crowd showed appreciation for Verlander as he left the game, possibly his last regular-season start with the Astros.
• 🏆 Josh Hader secured his 33rd save of the season, a significant milestone in his career.

Q & A

What is Justin Verlander's current strikeout total?

Justin Verlander is over 3,000 strikeouts.

What is Justin Verlander's ERA for the season mentioned in the script?

Justin Verlander's ERA mentioned in the script is 5.20.

How has Justin Verlander performed in his five starts since coming off the injured list?

In his five starts since coming off the injured list, Verlander is 1 and 4 with an 8.34 ERA.

Who caught the popup right in front of the camera?

Yer Diaz caught the popup right in front of the camera.

Who is the opposing team's pitcher against the Astros in the described game?

The opposing team's pitcher is Tyler Anderson.

What was the result of the first inning for the Astros?

The Astros had a one-two-three first inning against Tyler Anderson.

What happened on Alex Bregman's at-bat in the second inning?

Alex Bregman made a play to get Netto for the second out in the second inning.

Who scored the first run for the Astros?

Yer Diaz scored the first run for the Astros on a sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubon.

What was the final score of the game described in the script?

The final score of the game was not explicitly mentioned in the script.

What is the significance of the game for Justin Verlander?

The game could be Justin Verlander's final regular season start in an Astros uniform.

How many hits did Kyle Tucker have during the game?

Kyle Tucker had four hits during the game.

Outlines

00:00

🥎 Justin Verlander's Struggles and Astros' Strong Start

The script discusses Justin Verlander's pursuit of adding to his over 3,000 career strikeouts to re-enter the top 10. Despite a 5.20 ERA, Verlander has had a rough patch with an 8.34 ERA in his last five starts post-injury. The game narrative focuses on the Astros' strong performance against the Angels, with key plays by Yer Diaz, Alex Bregman, and Kyle Tucker. Verlander's performance is contrasted with his previous game against the Angels, and the script highlights the team's defensive and offensive plays, including a notable catch by Yer Diaz and a series of hits that lead to the Astros taking the lead.

05:00

🚀 Astros Extend Lead with Homers and Key Hits

This section of the script details a dramatic shift in the game's momentum with the Astros extending their lead significantly. Jake Meyers hits a three-run homer to put the Astros ahead 6-1. The script captures the excitement of the game with descriptions of stolen bases, RBIs, and key hits that contribute to the Astros' growing lead. It also includes a narrative about a potential milestone for Verlander, who might be making his final regular-season start for the Astros. The paragraph concludes with the Astros maintaining a five-game lead in the AL West, thanks to a strong team effort and a home run by Kyle Tucker.

Keywords

💡Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander is a renowned Major League Baseball pitcher, referenced in the script as aiming to improve his performance. He has accumulated over 3,000 career strikeouts and is attempting to re-enter the top 10 all-time strikeout list. His performance is a major theme in the narrative, as the commentary focuses on his return from injury and how his fastball and curveball combinations have struggled lately.

💡Strikeout

A strikeout occurs when a pitcher throws three strikes to a batter, resulting in the batter being out. The concept of strikeouts is central to the narrative, particularly because Verlander is known for his high strikeout numbers. The script mentions him climbing the all-time strikeout list, emphasizing his pitching prowess and how critical strikeouts are to his game.

💡ERA

ERA, or Earned Run Average, is a key statistic in baseball that measures the number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. Verlander's ERA is discussed in the context of his recent struggles, as he has an ERA of 5.20, indicating a challenging stretch. His attempts to lower this statistic reflect his efforts to regain form after injury.

💡Fastball

A fastball is a high-speed pitch that is one of the most common and effective tools for pitchers. Verlander's fastball is mentioned as part of his signature pitch combination along with his curveball. However, the script notes that this combination has not been as successful lately, contributing to his higher ERA and recent losses.

💡Curveball

A curveball is a pitch that has a pronounced downward movement, often used to deceive batters. In the context of the script, Verlander's curveball has not been effective in recent games, which is highlighted as part of his struggles in his return from the injured list. The curveball is a key element in his pitching strategy.

💡Tyler Anderson

Tyler Anderson is the opposing pitcher for the Angels in this game, facing off against Verlander. The script mentions his success in past matchups against key Astros hitters, including using a combination of fastballs, cutters, and changeups. Anderson's performance is contrasted with Verlander's as he manages to strike out several Astros batters.

💡Base hit

A base hit occurs when a batter successfully strikes the ball and reaches first base without being put out. Base hits play a key role in the narrative, with multiple Astros players, including Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez, contributing to the team's scoring through timely base hits. Base hits are vital in creating scoring opportunities throughout the game.

💡Home run

A home run is when a batter hits the ball out of the playing field, allowing them to round all the bases and score. Alex Bregman’s home run in the script is a major event that increases the Astros’ lead. The script uses it as a pivotal moment in the game, with Bregman's 24th home run of the season being highlighted as a significant contribution.

💡RBI

RBI, or Runs Batted In, is a statistic that credits a batter for driving in runs. Throughout the script, multiple players, such as Jake Meyers and Jack Lopez, are noted for accumulating RBIs, contributing to their team’s score. RBI plays a crucial role in advancing the narrative of the game’s scoring progression.

💡Injured List

The injured list, or IL, refers to players who are temporarily inactive due to injury. Verlander’s return from the injured list is mentioned, and his performance since coming back has been inconsistent. The script focuses on how his recovery is impacting his gameplay, adding context to his recent struggles.

Highlights

Justin Verlander is over 3,000 strikeouts and aims to climb back into the top 10.

Verlander's recent performance has been underwhelming with a 5.20 ERA.

Since coming off the injured list, Verlander is 1-4 with an 8.34 ERA.

Yer Diaz makes a catch in front of the camera, contributing to a one-two-three first inning for the Astros.

Alex Bregman makes a play to get Zack Netto for the second out.

Kyle Tucker makes an easy play for the Astros in the first inning.

Yordan Alvarez and Tucker have good numbers against Tyler Anderson.

Alvarez strikes out on a left change up from Anderson.

Tucker gets a base hit against Anderson, his eighth hit in 13 at-bats.

Bregman hits a home run, his 24th of the season.

Yer Diaz gets his second hit of the night, going the other way.

Jake Meyers hits a three-run home run, extending the Astros' lead to 6-1.

Gustavo Campero gets his first extra-base hit on his 27th birthday with a triple.

Jack Lopez ties the game with an RBI single.

Bregman's two-run home run gives the Astros a 7-3 lead.

Yer Diaz's single makes the game an 8-3 contest.

Wagman's double scores a run, making the score 8-4.

Justin Verlander potentially makes his final regular-season start in an Astros uniform.

Brian King takes over the mound for the Astros.

Matt Thaiss gets a base hit, scoring a run and advancing Wagman.

Kyle Tucker ends the night with a home run, his fourth hit of the game.

Josh Hader records his 33rd save of the season.

Transcripts

I want to see some swing and miss and I

think that Justin berlander is as well

he is up over well over 3,000 strikeouts

but he would like to add that total and

jump back into that top 10 it's been

interesting of late because that fast

ball curveball combination has not been

very good for Justin berlander overall a

5.20 eray but in those five starts since

coming off the injured list he is 1 and

four with an 8.34 that last win last

start against the Angels we're on the

way in our final Friday of the season

and a popup will Yer Diaz have room it

looks like he does right in front of the

camera well by Julia he makes the catch

one pitch and one out for JV and Zack

Netto now the battle for the Halos

sharply hit on one hop in the webbing at

the top of it for Alex bregman as he

makes the play to get Netto for the

second out so here is shaow well at the

plate Skies this one to right field easy

play for Kyle Tucker good start to this

one for JV a one two three first Astros

coming to bat against the Lefty Tyler

Anderson altu Alvarez and Tucker they've

got really good numbers against Tyler

Anderson on The Bu how does he come back

there yeah but I still go back to what

he did against that same three guys in

in may he Domin him he got that fast

ball and cutter in on them very very

effectively then that change up was even

better even the back door cutter three

pitch Altuve had the green light and he

bounces one right to third wagaman has

no trouble with that one throws him out

at first base so one out nobody on for

yordon Alvarez and a nice pitch from

Tyler Anderson Alvarez Strikes Out left

on left change up away showed him in and

up and then change up in good movement

on that change now faces Kyle Tucker

well tuck now eight for 13 against Tyler

Anderson King Tuck with a base hit here

with two outs so Tucker on with two out

for Alex bregman Oh another strike out

for Tyler Anderson how about that change

piece no M yes it was so one Runner

stranded scoreless after one one out of

nobody on for niik kavadis left-handed

hitting DH he got him went upstairs on a

one-w pitch and kavadas goes down for

the first strikeout JV back in the top

10 on the all-time strikeout list two

out nobody on for Eric Wagman got him JV

hops off the mound he has already looked

better tonight in two innings than we

saw in his five innings of work against

the angels in Anaheim scoreless as we

head to the bottom of the second y will

stand in against Tyler Anderson and this

one is going to be beyond the infield

for a base hit Yer Diaz with a lead off

single here in the second inning oh look

out Jeremy who leads the team in getting

hit by pitches gets hit for the 13th

time this year on an 02 pitch Victor

kartini switch hitting catcher batting

right that ball into left field that's

going to be down for a hit Yer Diaz had

to hold up to make sure it fell in front

of Taylor Ward the Astros will have the

bases loaded kartini another B Bas hit

as a right hand hitter and the table is

set for Jake Myers that's popped up that

could be that's infield fly Jack Lopez

over on the infield fly and big out for

Tyler Anderson now a ground ball double

play you can get out of this as Mauricio

duban Bas is loaded one out duban sends

one the left this will be deep enough to

score Yer Diaz he'll tag it third the

throw will come in late and the Astros

take a one- nothing lead on duie

sacrifice fly matter now is Campero and

that is ripped to the Gap by compo

looking for his first extra base hit

he's thinking three he makes the turn

he's digging Gustavo comparo on his 27th

birthday with a

triple that's how you celebrate your

birthday so the infields in now that'll

bring up Jack Lopez the second baseman

there it is base sit RBI we're tied up

Jack Lopez with an RBI single it's the

bottom of the lineup the balance we're

talking about infield in your chances

increase for a base hit on the ground

gets that one through for an RBI single

Kyle Tucker he's had a single so far as

only time up Tucker guess what he does

all he does is get base hits against

Tyler Anderson 9 for 14 two for two

tonight bregman the batter one-1 ball

game with the runner on first this one's

hit well to Center back on at polar out

of room or not he is out of room home

run Alex bregman 3-1 AST on brey's 24th

over under the year Alex bregman getting

deep into the salsa jar on that one 421

to dead center here's Yer Diaz Yer

singled his last time up now Yer Diaz

goes the other way on an 02 pitch and

yer has himself his second hit of the

night broken bat jer's going to have to

stay and they let the ball bounce why

would they do that now he thr away

goodness Yo's going to get to third p is

going to get to second

why would Tyler Anderson want Pon to be

the base runner instead of Yer that was

a terrible decision yeah had all the

time in the world he could have run at

the second base runners on second and

third now that's a popup that's

huge no infield fly as of yet uhoh

caparo comes in and makes a great catch

how did he catch that you tell me

unbelievable that was unbelievable he

caught that like a catcher so an

opportunity for Meyers to pick up a

couple of RBI with a single here Jake

drows one deep to left field all the way

back that balls off the top of the wall

two run score asos's lead 5 to one and

now they're signaling home run three run

home run Jake Meers Astros lead six to

one eventually giving the home run

signal for Jake Meyers he got that

change up on the inside corner and hit a

laser into the Crawford boxes pitch that

misses for ball four and polar is on

with a one out now walk wman is the

batter he struck out his first time up

Runner goes again that's going to be a

stolen base for KP Kevin po 11th of the

season that's going to be a base hit to

right field polar's going to be sent and

Wagman's going to pick up an RBI polar

scores at 6-2 Matty th at the dish onew

that's ripped to right field okay he

needed it he got it Wagman's going first

to third as th snaps out of an0 for 34

now that feels good two outs well inside

it got him it got him bases are loaded

Jack Lopez is the batter Bases Loaded

two outs here's the 22 oh get through

get through aña makes a play but he's

unable to throw the baseball run comes

in to score RBI for Jack Lopez on the

infield single the Astros have Runners

on the corners with nobody out so now

Alex bregman with a two-run home run his

last time up Alex with a ball into

center field for a base hit Astros take

a seven three lead how about tuck going

first to third Yer Diaz still nobody out

in the inning there you

go there's the RBI he's been waiting for

Yer Diaz is single to center field makes

it an 8 to3 game Yer and Kyle Tucker

both three for three on the night the

Angels still have them at the corners

two gone and the angels need a hit from

Eric Wagman oh that's going to get down

for a hit Wagman drives that to right

center field scores a run goes in into

second with a double did he just knock

out Justin Verlander it's 8 to four well

here's an ovation that's a little bit

about tonight and a lot about a career

Justin burland are walking off the mound

in what could be his final regular

season start in an Astros uniform Brian

King takes over facing Matt th ice with

the base hit up the middle that scores

one and here comes Wagman the throw to

the plate it's off the mound and two

runs come in it's 8 to six two RB and

another hit for Matt th th is nice

tonight Kyle Tucker who's three for

three today three singles two runs

scored Tucker Hits one pretty well to

right field Campero will watch this one

go four for four for King Tuck and he

crowns the night with a home run oh hail

the king back is Castle and raing fourth

hit is a big one solo shot into the

Astros bll pin eona is still in there

and of course

leads off with the Home Run make the

catch and go deep big guy his eighth

home run of the Season seventh as a halo

for Kevin P lock that's poetic haters

three season highs and saves in his

career 37 is his career high back in

2019 34 and 21 both with the Brewers 33

last year tonight he's looking for his

33rd save if Kyle Tucker has room he'll

have it

tuck puts it away a four hit night for

tuck and save number 33 for Josh haer

the magic number reduced to four as the

Astros maintain a fiveg game lead in the

AL West