Cristian Javier delivered six no-hit innings in his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, and the Houston Astros rode timely hitting and a strong bullpen effort to a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.
Javier, who underwent surgery in June 2024, looked sharp while throwing 85 pitches across six innings. He struck out six and walked three, keeping the Angels off balance throughout the outing. It marked his longest no-hit effort since a seven-inning gem against the New York Yankees on June 25, 2022, and matched his six-inning no-hit performance with nine strikeouts against the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2022 World Series.
The Astros’ bullpen preserved the shutout after Javier exited. Enyel De Los Santos (5-3) took over in the seventh and surrendered a double to Yoán Moncada, which broke up the no-hit bid and became the Angels’ first hit of the night. Still, he worked through the inning and earned the win.
Craig Kimbrel struggled in the eighth, issuing three walks while throwing 25 pitches, only eight strikes. Manager Joe Espada turned to Kaleb Ort, who ended the inning by inducing a flyout from Jo Adell with the bases loaded. Ort then retired the side in order in the ninth to record his first save of the season.
Houston’s offense broke a scoreless deadlock in the seventh inning. Yordan Alvarez reached base on an error by second baseman Christian Moore and advanced on a bloop single by José Altuve. Carlos Correa followed with a sharp RBI single to center, giving the Astros a 1-0 lead. It was Houston’s first hit in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.
The Astros added an insurance run in the eighth. Cam Smith drew a walk and later scored on a sacrifice fly to left by Alvarez, who recorded his 74th RBI of the season.
Luis García Jr. pitched effectively for the Angels (2-1) but was tagged with the loss after allowing one unearned run in six and one-third innings. He struck out five and walked two while scattering five hits. The Angels’ offense managed only two hits all night, both doubles, and struck out nine times against Houston pitching.
The win gave the Astros momentum in a crucial stretch as they continue to chase a postseason spot in the American League. Javier’s performance, in particular, encouraged a pitching staff that has battled inconsistency and injuries throughout the season.
Oddsmakers had Houston favored at -135 entering the game, with Los Angeles at +115. The over/under was set at 8.5 runs, and the under cashed comfortably in a contest dominated by pitching.
The series continues Saturday, with the Astros scheduled to start right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (1-5, 6.21 ERA) against former Cub Kyle Hendricks (6-9, 5.04 ERA), who will take the mound for Los Angeles. Both clubs will be looking to secure momentum as the playoff race tightens in the final weeks of August.