Ohtani, Rengifo Lifts Angels Past Astros to Avoid Sweep, 2–1

Shohei Ohtani (17) of the Los Angeles Angels grounds out during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston on June 4, 2023. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

HOUSTON—Shohei Ohtani hit a tiebreaking RBI double in the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels edged the Houston Astros 2–1 on Sunday, June 4, to avoid a four-game series sweep.

Ohtani was hitless before clubbing a pitch from Phil Maton (0–1) off the wall in right field, driving in Gio Urshela for a 2–1 lead. The clutch swing gave Ohtani 41 RBIs on the season.

Luis Rengifo hit his third homer for Los Angeles, which stopped a three-game slide. Chris Devenski (3–0) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win, and Carlos Estevez got four outs for his 14th save.

Luis Rengifo (2) of the Los Angeles Angels hits a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston on June 4, 2023. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

Yainer Diaz connected for Houston, and Alex Bregman also had two hits. Bregman extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

Diaz’s leadoff drive in the fifth against Griffin Canning put the Astros in front. But Rengifo went deep in the sixth for the Angels’ first hit of the game against J.P. France.

Canning allowed four hits, struck out four and walked one in six innings. It was his fourth straight start of allowing three or fewer runs.

France pitched a career-best seven innings in his sixth major league start. He yielded three hits, struck out three and walked one.

Trainer’s Room

Angels: 3B Anthony Rendon (left groin strain) is expected to be activated either Tuesday or Wednesday, according to manager Phil Nevin.

Astros: 2B Jose Altuve was held out of the lineup for a second straight game after experience an oblique issue after an awkward swing on Friday night. Altuve did run and throw prior to Sunday’s game but did not hit. Manager Dusty Baker considered Altuve day to day.

Up Next

Angels: Off Monday before opening a six-game homestand. Prior to Sunday’s game, the Angels had not set their rotation for their series against the Cubs starting Tuesday.

Astros: RHP Brandon Bielak (2–2, 3.19 ERA) will open Houston’s seven-game road trip on Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Bielak matched a career high in strikeouts with six in his last start, which came in a win against the Twins.

By Joshua Koch