ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Daniel Wright didn’t think getting his first major league win would take quite as long as it did, but it was worth the wait.
Jefry Marte homered and scored twice and Wright earned his first victory to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 7-1 on Friday night.
In Wright’s ninth big league appearance and his seventh start, he limited the Astros to one run and six hits while striking out five.
It took two teams and a few stints in the minor leagues this season before Wright was finally able to earn a win and breathe a sigh of relief.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet,” Wright said. “It’s been a long time coming, it’s been since May since I’ve been starting in the bigs. It’s a weight off my shoulders and I’ll go from here into the offseason.”
Wright (1-5), who was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on Sept. 4, became the 24th pitcher to get a win for the Angels this season, setting an American League record. The Texas Rangers previously held the mark with 23 winning pitchers in 2014.
“Daniel has been on the verge of doing what he did tonight,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “He had good fastball command, definitely brought his secondary pitches into the game and I thought he was a little more aggressive tonight than when he pitched in Houston against these guys (last weekend).”
Mike Trout set a club record with his 114th walk of the season, breaking Tony Phillips’ previous Angels record set in 1995. Trout stole two bases, bringing his season total to 29.
The Angels broke the game open with a four-run second inning. Brad Peacock (0-1) loaded the bases with no outs for Kaleb Cowart, who doubled to empty them. Kowart took third on the throw, allowing him to score while Ji-Man Choi was caught in a rundown two batters later.
Marte led off the third inning with his 14th home run. The Angels scored twice in the fifth inning when Andrelton Simmons’ two-run single chased Peacock.
“I don’t think he executed quite as well,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “His fastball command was a little off, his breaking ball was a little loose. They won a couple critical at-bats. There was a few walks in there, a few extra-base hits and hit night was over.”
Making just his fifth start this season, Peacock was charged with seven runs - five earned - and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked four and struck out five.
“Unfortunately, it caps a September for him where he was pretty good where we needed him,” Hinch said. “It’s going to leave a bad taste in his mouth at the end of the year.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: 3B Alex Bregman has been shut down for the remaining three games. Astros manager A.J. Hinch said the team decided not to risk further irritation of his recent hamstring injury.
Angels: RHP Jered Weaver is questionable for his Sunday start, which could be his final with the Angels. Weaver left his last start with tightness in his back and Jhoulys Chacin will likely start in his place.
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Collin McHugh will try to remain undefeated in the month of September when he starts the second game of the series. McHugh is 3-0 this month but his September win streak dates to 2014, as he’s gone 11-0 over the last three seasons, the longest active streak of any its kind for any major league pitcher. In three starts against Los Angeles this season, McHugh is 1-0 with a 2.84 ERA.
Angels: LHP Tyler Skaggs will make his first start since Sept. 9, when he was removed from the rotation with a mild flexor pronator strain in his pitching arm. Skaggs will face the Astros for the first time since June 5, 2014. He’s 3-3 with a 4.13 ERA in 10 starts since returning from Tommy John surgery this season.
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