Angels vs. Astros 6/3/14

After leaving San Antonio, the group made the journey across southeastern Texas to Houston.  After checking into our hotel and eating some authentic Texas BBQ, we made our journey to Minute Maid Park in downtown.  Entering the air conditioned retractable roofed stadium was a relief from the oppressive heat and humidity outside in the Texas sun.  Being a White Sox fan, I had some sight-seeing to do before the game started because the Sox won Game 4 at Minute Maid Park, clinching the 2005 World Series.  I walked to the spot where Juan Uribe fell into the crowd to record the 2nd out of the 9th inning of that game and did some reminiscing of my childhood.

We found our seats in the upper deck and waited for the game to start.  Minute Maid has probably the worst sound system I have ever heard as it was hard to understand words said by the P.A. announcer.  The park has a very odd mixture of classic and new that includes a giant roof that can open and close, but yet it also has an older style of design on the outfield wall, a glass wall behind left field allowing you to still see the surroundings, odd dimensions like old ballparks did, and a train that runs every time the Astros hit a home run.

Pitching for the Angels was ace CJ Wilson.  Wilson was off to a solid start to his season with a 6-4 record and an ERA in the low 3s.  For the Astros was Collin McHugh, who was also off to a solid start with a sub-3 ERA.

The Astros changed the game in the 3rd inning after the first two batters walked, a Jose Altuve single, a Singleton walk and a Grossman single quickly made the score 5-0.  CJ Wilson's day was already done at that point.  The game continued to slowly drag on and in the 8th inning, the Angels made it interesting with Cowgill and Hamilton solo Home Runs to make the score 5-2.

Jon Singleton was the story of this game.  The young 1B was one of the best minor league prospects who was making his Major League debut.  After two errors and a strikeout early, Singleton managed his first RBI in the 3rd inning.  In the bottom of the 8th inning, Singleton saw a pitch he liked and smoked it deep in to right center for his first Major League hit and first home run.

Carter of the Astros added on to the Houston lead with his own 8th inning solo home run to make the score 7-2.  The Astros would go on to win by the same score.