Astros fall to Angels 5-2 on June 21, 2025, despite Jeremy Peña's 10th homer. A late bullpen slip-up costs Houston, but they still lead the AL West.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It wasn't the Saturday night Astros fans were hoping for, as the team fell 5-2 to the division-rival Angels in Anaheim. A rare bullpen slip-up and quiet bats were the culprits, but let's not hit the panic button just yet. Even in a loss, Jeremy Peña continued his torrid pace with another home run, and more importantly, Houston woke up this morning still sitting comfortably atop the AL West.
It took everyone, it took every pitch, every at-bat for us to win games this month.
The game itself was a frustrating affair. Starter Brandon Walter delivered a respectable performance, going five innings and allowing three runs in his first loss of the season. He kept the Astros in it, but the offense couldn't find its rhythm, managing only six hits all night. The real backbreaker came in the 7th inning when the bullpen faltered. Rafael Montero surrendered a two-run double to Taylor Ward, putting the game just out of reach and snapping what had been a solid run for the relief corps.
The brightest spot, without a doubt, was Jeremy Peña. The star shortstop was responsible for most of the Astros' offense, going 2-for-4 and launching a solo shot in the 4th inning for his 10th homer of the year. Peña has been on another level recently, raising his batting average to a team-leading .322. With Yordan Alvarez still getting back to full strength, Peña's consistency at the plate has been the engine keeping this offense moving forward.
One loss doesn't define a season, or even a month. Let's zoom out: the Astros are 43-33 and hold first place in the American League West. They are 12-5 in June, their best month of the season so far. This resilience, especially in the face of injuries, is a testament to the team's depth. As manager Joe Espada noted, 'It took everyone, it took every pitch, every at-bat for us to win games this month.' Contributions from recent call-ups, a product of the organization's strong farm system, have been crucial in weathering the storm and maintaining their divisional lead.
While the loss stings, the Astros are still in an enviable position. They'll look to bounce back tomorrow and take the series from the Angels. The key will be getting the bats going beyond Peña and Tucker and ensuring the bullpen returns to form. For now, Houston remains the team to beat in the West, and one Saturday night stumble doesn't change that.
