Astros score 4 in 9th with just 1 hit in improbable comeback win

ANAHEIM -- In one of their most improbable wins of the season, the Astros rallied for four runs in the ninth inning despite managing one hit, to stun the Angels with a 6-4 win Monday night at Angel Stadium -- their sixth in their last seven games.

Trailing 4-2 entering the ninth, the Astros sent 10 batters to the plate and took advantage of two Angels fielding errors, two hit-by-pitches and two walks, including an intentional walk to slugger Yordan Alvarez with two outs that loaded the bases.

Isaac Paredes was hit by a pitch to force in Lucas Spence with the tying run, and LaMonte Wade Jr. drew a walk to score Jeremy Peña with the go-ahead run. The sixth run came on a fielding error by pitcher Sam Bachman, who couldn’t handle Jose Altuve’s dribbler back to the mound.

The Astros improved to 3-48 when trailing after eight innings.

Astros starter Tatsuya Imai failed to finish the first inning of a start for the third time this year. He faced only seven hitters, recording two outs while giving up two earned runs, four walks and committing a balk. He threw only 12 strikes in 33 pitches.

The Angels led 4-0 after scoring twice in the third against reliever AJ Blubaugh, including a homer by Vaughn Grissom. Cristian Javier saved the day by throwing five scoreless innings in relief, striking out seven batters by throwing 50 of his 70 pitches for strikes.

Taylor Trammell’s homer got the Astros on the board in the fourth, and an RBI single by Yordan Alavarez in the eighth cut the lead to 4-2.