A Rookie’s First Outing
Ethan Pecko made his long-awaited arrival to the big leagues with a steady performance that helped anchor the Houston Astros’ pitching staff. In just 3.2 innings of work, Pecko recorded four strikeouts while allowing three hits and two earned runs against the Los Angeles Angels.
His outing was part of a collective effort by the Astros’ bullpen, which kept the Angels off balance after the starter’s departure.
Pecko faced early challenges, walking three batters during his time on the mound. However, he managed to escape multiple jams, finishing with a no-decision as the game went into the late innings. His performance marked a notable milestone in his career, transitioning from the minors to the highest level of professional baseball.
Scoring Highlights
The Angels struck first in the third inning when Vázquez launched a 383-foot home run to left field, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. Houston responded aggressively in the fourth inning, mounting a two-run rally that shifted the momentum. Guzman delivered a key double that drove in both Lowe and Grissom, putting the Astros ahead 2-1.
The frame continued with more offensive production for Houston. Altuve doubled to left field, bringing Alvarez home to extend the lead to 3-1. The inning concluded with Smith hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Paredes to score from third base and making it 3-2.
The Angels were unable to recover after that surge, as the Astros’ relief pitchers closed the door on any further scoring opportunities.
