Cristian Javier Dominates in Return as Astros Edge Angels 2-0 Behind Stellar Pitching
On a warm Friday night in Houston, the defending champion Astros reminded Major League Baseball of the power of elite pitching. Cristian Javier, making only his fourth start since returning from Tommy John surgery, looked like the ace who once baffled hitters in the World Series. He didn’t allow a single hit across six innings, and the Houston bullpen followed his lead to secure a tight 2-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park.
The outing was another milestone for Javier, who has been carefully worked back into the rotation since undergoing surgery in June 2024. On this night, the right-hander displayed command, patience, and resilience. He fanned six batters, walked three, and needed 85 pitches to finish six no-hit innings, bringing the Houston crowd to its feet as he walked off the mound after the sixth. Though he didn’t pitch deep enough into the game to attempt a complete no-hitter, his effort set the tone for the night and served as a reminder of the dominance he can deliver when healthy.
Manager Joe Espada chose not to push Javier past the sixth inning, keeping in mind his recovery timeline. Instead, he turned the game over to the bullpen, and though the Angels managed to scratch a couple of hits, Houston’s relievers maintained the lead.
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Relief Arms Hold the Line
The first pitcher out of the pen was Enyel De Los Santos, who immediately allowed the Angels’ first hit of the game—a ringing double off the bat of Yoan Moncada. Even so, De Los Santos steadied himself, avoided further damage, and picked up his fifth win of the year, improving his record to 5-3.
Veteran closer Craig Kimbrel was called upon in the eighth inning, but he struggled mightily. Kimbrel threw just eight strikes across 25 pitches and issued three walks, creating tension in the Houston dugout and groans from the stands. With two men on base and one out, Espada turned to Kaleb Ort, a right-hander who has quietly worked his way into higher-leverage situations this season.
Ort delivered in perhaps his biggest appearance of the year. He induced a shallow fly ball from Jo Adell to end the eighth, escaping Kimbrel’s jam. Then, in the ninth, Ort was perfect. Three up, three down. He secured his first save of the season, capping off a combined two-hitter for Houston.
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Astros Offense Finds Runs Late
For most of the game, Houston’s bats were quiet. They struggled against Angels starter Luis García Jr., who kept the Astros 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position through six innings. Every time Houston threatened, García found a way to escape—until the seventh.
The breakthrough came after a mistake by Angels second baseman Christian Moore, who bobbled a ground ball that allowed Yordan Alvarez to reach base. Veteran infielder José Altuve followed with a bloop single, moving Alvarez into scoring position. That set the stage for Carlos Correa, who lined a clean RBI single to bring Alvarez home and finally break the scoreless deadlock.
The Astros added insurance in the eighth. Cam Smith worked a leadoff walk, advanced on a ground ball, and later tagged up on Alvarez’s deep sacrifice fly to left field. That gave Houston a 2-0 cushion, more than enough on a night when their pitchers dominated.
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Historical Context for Javier
Javier’s six no-hit innings tied for the second-longest no-hit effort of his career. Astros fans still remember his legendary World Series performance in October 2022 when he struck out nine Phillies in six hitless innings as part of a combined no-hitter. His personal best came earlier that year on June 25, when he held the New York Yankees hitless through seven innings in the Bronx.
Friday’s outing against the Angels may not have carried postseason stakes, but for Javier personally, it was monumental. Coming back from Tommy John surgery is never guaranteed, and regaining command often takes months of trial and error. Javier looked sharp, leaned on his fastball-slider mix, and showed the confidence that made him one of the Astros’ most dependable arms before his injury.
“It felt great to be out there competing like this again,” Javier said afterward. “The support from the fans and my teammates means a lot. I just want to keep building.”
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Angels’ Offensive Struggles Continue
For the Angels, it was another frustrating night in a season that has been defined by inconsistency at the plate. Despite drawing six walks—three off Javier and three off Kimbrel—they couldn’t produce a timely hit. Moncada’s double in the seventh and a late single in the ninth were their only knocks of the game.
Manager Ron Washington admitted afterward that his club has to do a better job capitalizing on opportunities. “We had chances, especially in the eighth with Kimbrel struggling,” Washington said. “But we didn’t put the ball in play when we needed to. Against a team like Houston, you don’t get many chances, and when you waste them, you usually pay the price.”
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What Comes Next
The win gave Houston another small push in the American League playoff race, while the Angels slipped further behind. The Astros, riding the strength of their pitching staff, remain confident about their chances down the stretch.
On Saturday, Houston will hand the ball to right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, who carries a 1-5 record and 6.21 ERA but has shown flashes of improvement in recent outings. He’ll be opposed by Cubs veteran Kyle Hendricks, who is 6-9 with a 5.04 ERA but brings postseason experience and a reputation for grinding through games.
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Final Word
Friday night’s win wasn’t about offensive fireworks or highlight-reel home runs. Instead, it was a showcase of pitching excellence, led by Cristian Javier. Six no-hit innings, a lockdown bullpen performance, and just enough timely hitting allowed the Astros to walk away with a 2-0 victory.
For Javier, it was more than a win—it was a statement. Nearly 15 months after surgery, he showed flashes of the pitcher who once dominated October. And for Houston, that’s perhaps the most important development of all as the season winds into its decisive weeks.
