RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 19: Josh Hader #71 and Cam Smith #11 of the Houston Astros celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Angels in the game at Daikin Park on August 19, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For a few innings anyway, Ethan Pecko was the center of the Astros universe on Wednesday Night. Fortunately for Pecko, his bullpen mates were hovering in the same cosmos. Astros 3 Angels 2.
Making his major league debut, Pecko would flirt with danger, but went largely unscathed during the opening three frames. However, in the fourth, Vaughn Grissom would draw a walk, Josh Lowe then singled, and on Denzer Guzman’s double to deep left, each runner would score on controversial fan interference. Pecko would go 3.2 IP, striking out four, issuing a trio of walks, 3 hits and 2 earned runs. Bennett Sousa would come on and close out the frame for Pecko. Pecko would become the 17th different starting pitcher this season for the Astros, which leads the majors. You’d have to go back to 1965 to find an Astros club to use this volume of arms.
Speaking of arms, the Astros would use the bullpen combination of Sousa, Blubaugh, Okert, Abreu and Hader who performed 5 1/3 scoreless work to lock up a much-needed victory. Hader would notch his 18th save of the season.
It was the bottom of the fourth inning when the Astros would reclaim the lead which they’d never relinquish. Jose Altuve’s 16th double of the year brought home Yordan Alvarez, tying things at 2. Then, Cam Smith would execute a sac fly, scoring Isaac Paredes.
The night also featured some unfortunate sequences. Jeremy Pena would sustain a right-hand contusion on a hit by pitch. Nick Allen would replace him. In the top of the third inning, Joe Espada would be ejected for arguing a hit by pitch call on Mike Trout. Bench Coach Omar Lopez stepped in to fill that role.
The Astros first run of the night came courtesy from Christian Vazquez. He would deposit a sinker from Urena into the Crawford Boxes in the third, putting the Astros ahead 1-0. It was his 7th home run of the season.
The win means Houston is now a game over the .500 mark at 64-63. They’ve snapped a 3-game losing skid. They now lead the A.L. West by 2 games over the Rangers.
Odds & Ends:
Wednesday night was the 500th career relief appearance for Josh Hader.
Peter Lambert will attempt to win the rubber match on Thursday Night. First pitch is once again set for 7:10pm CDT. Lambert has recorded 117 strikeouts this season.
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