HOUSTON -- It was only a week ago the Astros were in a bit of a dilemma, at least as much as the Astros can be these days. They were desperately seeking healthy and effective starting pitching at the bottom of their rotation while entering what turned out to be an emotionally charged series against the Angels in Anaheim.\n\nThe Astros dropped the first two games in California and held a team meeting after Angels pitcher Noe Ramirez threw at
And better news lies ahead for the Astros, who should get injured infielders
“Everybody is anticipating Aledmys and Carlos coming back at some point,” Astros manager AJ Hinch said. “Guys that are huge members of the team, you look forward to it. I try not to look too far ahead. I owe it to the guys inside to just play the roster that we have and keep those guys motivated. It will be nice to get some of our players back.”\n\nHouston’s pitching lines up nicely for the A’s series, too. The Astros will throw rotation stalwarts Cole, Miley and Justin Verlander at Oakland after rookies Jose Urquidy and
Armenteros, making his first Major League start, held the Rangers to two hits and one run Sunday while striking out six batters in five innings for his first career win. Urquidy was called up Saturday and [struck out nine](https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/rookie-jose-urquidy-allows-2-hits-in-7-innings \"undefined\") in seven dominating innings for his first career win. The Astros used openers in those slots in the rotation the first two games in Anaheim and lost both.\n\nFor Armenteros to give us five was huge, to be effective and mix his pitches,” Hinch said. “I thought he did a good job of utilizing his breaking ball today. His fastball was good and really pitched out of the only jam he was in. It was huge for us. We want to win, and we need good starting pitching to put together a string of wins, and the last couple of days showed that.”
The Astros backed up Armenteros with three homers, including two by