Houston, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Kole Calhoun homered and scored three runs as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim defeated the Houston Astros, 9-1, in the final installment of a four-game set.
Raul Ibanez and Howie Kendrick each drove in three runs as the Angels won their second straight game and claimed the series by taking three of four. Josh Hamilton reached base in all five of his at-bats, doing so on a fielding error, a single, and three walks.
"I think Josh is getting into good counts for the most part. Some of those at- bats have led to walks. Some have led to him to getting better pitches to hit," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia on Hamilton's performance at the plate.
C.J. Wilson (1-1) pitched a strong eight innings, surrendering only one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and a walk. Ernesto Frieri came on to pitch the ninth and retired the side in order to ensure the win.
Carlos Corporan's solo homer accounted for Houston's lone run. Jarred Cosart (1-1) allowed five runs on three hits and four walks in six innings.
"I feel like we aided in that with some poor decisions with the baseball that allowed their big innings to kind of open up," said Houston manager Bo Porter on the pitching staff.
Cosart issued a walk to Calhoun to open the game. Mike Trout struck out before Albert Pujols reached on a fielder's choice and Hamilton walked to load the bases. Ibanez's groundout to first brought Calhoun home and Kendrick's line- drive double to right plated Pujols and Hamilton for a 3-0 lead.
Calhoun added to the lead in the fifth when he opened the frame with a solo shot into the right field seats.
Houston threatened in the home half when Chris Carter lined a deep double off the bullpen wall in left field with one out. Wilson got Matt Dominguez to fly out and Corporan to line out to end the inning.
The Angels added another run in the sixth when Ian Stewart stroked a one-out triple and Chris Iannetta followed with a sacrifice fly to right for a 5-0 lead.
Ibanez snuck a two-run single through the right side of the infield to make it 7-0 in the seventh. Kendrick came up next and stroked a line-drive single to left, scoring Hamilton and making it an 8-0 game.
Corporan crushed a curveball into the left field seats for Houston's lone run of the afternoon in the eighth.
Pujols doubled to leadoff the ninth and was brought home on Hamilton's grounder up the middle as the Angels took a 9-1 advantage in the final frame.
Game Notes
Houston was retired in order in the first inning. It is only the second time this season that the Astros have not scored in the first inning ... Cosart's five earned runs were the most he has given up in 12 career starts ... Houston outfielder Dexter Fowler missed his fourth straight game due to gastroenteritis.
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