May 3: Astros Now Best In AL, Angels Continue Hot Streak, A's Continue Cold One

The Astros took a 2-0 lead in the Lone Star Series against the Rangers with a 8-7 comeback win capped by a Marwin Gonzalez grand slam. The box.

The Angels took the first game in a series with the Mariners with a 6-4 win that included Albert Pujols doubling in the winning run and then stealing third base. The box.

The Athletics gave up 6 home runs - 6! - in a spectacular 9-1 loss to the Twins in Minneapolis. The box,

The Mariners had the lead late at home against the Angels, but no one out of the bullpen could hold it. The box. 

The members of the Rangers bullpen seem to be taking turns each night to blow the game - it's the defining issue so far for the 2017 Rangers. The box.

Astros (18-9)

The Astros now have the best record in the American League. They also are finding heartbreaking ways to beat their arch-enemy, the Rangers, after getting beaten up in the Lone Star Series last year. Starter Mike Fiers gave up 5 earned runs in 6 innings - not good. That seemed the lone blemish in a game where they team came from behind to score 5 runs in the 8th inning, including this grand slam by Gonzalez.

The homer-happy Rangers just got out-homered. 

Angels (15-13)

The Angels are creating some separation from the sub-.500 club they were a part of in April. With the comeback win against the Mariners, the Angels now have won 8 out of their last 10 games. They got a "just enough to stay in the game" start from Matt Shoemaker, a home run from Kole Calhoun, and the game-winning double from Pujols. Bud Norris blew his first save, but otherwise the stitched-together pitching staff got it done.

Back in Mike Trout's native New Jersey, the Press of Atlantic City keeps a daily update on his season. His hitting streak has hit 15 games, by the way, the longest streak for him since 2013.

Athletics (11-15)

Sonny Gray returned from the DL to get hammered by the Twins, no one's idea of the '27 Yankees. However. if you watched the game he looked electric - his mistakes were location mistakes and man, did the Twins make him pay. But Gray looks healthy. So that's the good news. The bad news is that as May begins, the A's have won just 3 of their last 10 games

Minor leaguer Casey Thompson died unexpectedly while at the A's extended spring training. Also, here's a deep dive into where the A's are spending money. 

Mariners (11-16)

This is the game that looked, on paper, like the one the Mariners would most likely win against the Angels because James Paxton was starting. And while he was not as dominating as he has been, Paxton left the game after 5 1/3 having given up just 1 earned run and striking out 6. But Tony Zych, Edwin Diaz and (later in the 11th inning) James Pazos could not keep the Angels off the board.

Sweet AI tech at Safeco Field. Yet another interesting game recap.

Rangers (11-16)

The Rangers have been like a big brother beating up on the little brother Astros in recent years, but the tables have turned in the first two games of the Lone Star Series. Meanwhile, in more bad news for the Rangers, Cole Hamels was pulled from the start after experiencing tightness during warm ups. With the performance of the bullpen so far in 2017, the Rangers can only hope Nick Martinez will pitch his way deep into today's game.

Writers in DFW are beginning to contemplate the implications of an Astros team, long in the making, finally coming to fruition.

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