Astros edge Angels with Singleton’s late double in eighth inning

On Thursday night in Houston, Jon Singleton's two-run double in the eighth inning broke a 1-1 tie, leading the Astros to a 3-1 victory over the Angels. The game was tightly contested, with both teams struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The Angels took an early lead with a leadoff homer from Taylor Ward, but the Astros responded with a run in the fourth inning, tying the game after a series of errors and hits. Ryan Miller, pitching for the Angels, faced trouble in the eighth when he walked two batters, setting the stage for Singleton's crucial hit. The Astros loaded the bases, and Singleton's line drive to center field allowed Yordan Alvarez and Yainer Diaz to score, giving Houston the lead. This victory was significant for the Astros, as it reduced their magic number to clinch the AL West to five. Yusei Kikuchi, who has been impressive since joining the Astros, pitched six innings, allowing only one run and striking out nine batters. His performance has been a key factor in the Astros' recent success, improving their record to 9-0 in his starts since the trade from Toronto. The Angels struggled offensively, going 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position, which ultimately cost them the game. Josh Hader closed the game for the Astros, securing his 32nd save. The Angels' Mickey Moniak missed the game due to injury, which may have impacted their lineup. The series continues with a matchup between Justin Verlander and Tyler Anderson, as both teams look to improve their standings.