Halos win 72nd game with a run in 13th

ANDRELTON SIMMONS scored the winning run in the 13th inning Thursday on an error as the Angels defeated the Houston Astros, 4-3 (Flickr/Keith Allison).

The Los Angeles Angels are starting the end of their 2019 campaign with what could be a painful conclusion: a four-game series against the best team in baseball.

Beginning Thursday, the injury-riddled Halos took on the Houston Astros, champs of the American League West and winners – so far – of 104 games, one better than the Dodgers.

In Thursday’s 4-3 victory over the Astros in 13 innings in Anaheim, however, the Orange County team showed there’s still some life in the local boys yet. The Angels used 10 pitchers in the contest and won ultimately when Kaleb Cowart scored on a Houston error by the first baseman on a ball hit by Andrelton Simmons.

Jaime Barria made the start for the Angels, but had to come out in the fifth inning with a blister on his right big toe. He finished with 4.1 innings pitched, giving up four hits – including two homers – and three runs. He struck out four batters and walked two.

The series continues with games Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The Angels will go into those final three games with a 72-87 record. They’re in fourth place in the AL West, 32 games out of first place. The good news, however, is that the Halos have won five of their last 10 games.