Young arms square off in Houston

Published January 08, 2015

(SportsNetwork.com) - Lefty Tyler Skaggs makes his Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim debut on Saturday when they continue a four-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Skaggs, part of the three-team deal that sent Mark Trumbo to Arizona, had made 13 big league starts for the Diamondbacks and was 2-3 with a 5.12 ERA in seven outings a year ago. He has a 5.43 ERA for his career.

The 22-year-old hurler will try to help Los Angeles build upon its first win on Saturday. The Angels got off the schneid on Friday, as Josh Hamilton went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer to pace L.A. to an 11-1 win.

Kole Calhoun clubbed a two-run home run and Mike Trout added a solo shot and two RBI for the Angels, who were swept by the Mariners in their season-opening series. Garrett Richards (1-0) went five innings and gave up a run on three hits with five walks and seven strikeouts.

Jose Altuve had two hits and an RBI for the Astros, who took two of three from the Yankees to open the season.

Lucas Harrell (0-1) was torched for five runs on seven hits and three walks in just three innings. Reliever Jerome Williams was pounded for seven hits and six runs in 3 2/3 frames.

"I guess you could say the best thing that comes out of it is that it's only one game," said Houston manager Bo Porter.

Houston, meanwhile, will turn to a young left-hander of its own on Saturday in 26-year-old Dallas Keuchel, who was 6-10 last season with a 5.15 ERA, while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. He was far more effective as a starter, pitching to a 4.90 ERA in that role as opposed to his 6.75 ERA in nine relief outings. .

Keuchel, though, is a perfect 2-0 in four games (3 starts) versus the Angels, despite a 6.50 ERA in those outings.

The Astros edged the Angels in the season series 10-9 last season, but lost six of the nine games played in Houston.

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