Feldman bounces back, Astros defeat Angels

HOUSTON (AP) Scott Feldman bounced back with six solid innings and the Houston Astros took advantage of a wild throw by catcher Drew Butera to beat the Los Angeles Angels 4-3 Sunday.

Feldman (1-2) allowed two runs and six hits. In his previous start, Oakland tagged him for eight runs in five innings.

Luke Gregerson threw a perfect ninth for his second save.

Garrett Richards (0-1), making his first start since having knee surgery late last season, gave up three earned runs on five hits and four walks in five innings.

Richards struck out four. He fanned a swinging Jed Lowrie in the fifth, but the ball was in the dirt and bounced away. Butera's throw to first appeared to hit Lowrie in the helmet - he said it missed him - scoring a run and setting up another.

Luis Valbuena homered for the Astros and Jose Altuve had three hits.

Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron homered for the Angels.

Richards walked two in the first inning before escaping a bases-loaded jam.

Valbuena's two-run shot in the third put Houston on top 2-0. Cron's homer tied it in the fourth.

The wild throw by Butera allowed George Springer to score the go-ahead run, and put runners on second and third. Jason Castro followed with an RBI single on a dribbler to make it 4-2.

Pujols connected against Pat Neshek in the eighth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: Richards was activated from the disabled list Sunday. The Angels optioned LHP Adam Wilk to Triple-A Salt Lake after the game Saturday.

Astros: RHP Josh Fields (groin) is set to throw a two-inning outing Monday for Triple-A Fresno. He has made four rehab appearances for Fresno, allowing two earned runs in four innings.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Matt Shoemaker (2-0) goes for his third straight win to begin the season at home against Oakland on Monday. The Angels have won 10 straight games he has appeared in dating to last season.

Astros: RHP Asher Wojciechowski (0-1) makes his second start of the season third appearance Monday at Seattle. Wojciechowski, who was recalled from Triple-A Fresno Friday, threw four scoreless innings in relief Monday against Oakland.