OC Register: Angels’ road winning streak snapped by Justin Verlander, Astros

[AngelsWin.com]

• Los Angeles Angels’ third baseman Luis Valbuena (18) tags out Houston Astros’ Derek Fisher (21) on a return to the bag for the out to end the fifth inning during a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

• Los Angeles Angels’ starting pitcher Nick Tropeano (35) throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

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• Los Angeles Angels’ starting pitcher Nick Tropeano (35) throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

• Houston Astros’ starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

• Houston Astros’ starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

• Houston Astros’ left fielder Derek Fisher (21) reacts to striking out to end the second inning as Los Angeles Angels’ catcher Rene Rivera (44) fields a throw during a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

• Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman (2) signals gestures at third base after his three run triple on a line drive to left field during the fourth inning as Los Angeles Angels’ third baseman Zack Cozart (7) walks away during a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

• Houston Astros’ third baseman Alex Bregman (2) watches his line drive to left field for a three run triple against the Los Angeles Angels during the fourth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

• Houston Astros’ first baseman Yuli Gurriel (10) scores on a three run hit by Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman (2) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

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HOUSTON — All that stood between the Angels and a sweep of the Houston Astros was Justin Verlander.

And he was enough.

The Angels did little against Verlander until it was too late, and their 11-game road winning streak came to an end with a 5-2 loss to the Astros on Wednesday afternoon.

The Angels had beaten Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton in the first two games of the series, but they could not beat Verlander.

Verlander did not allow a baserunner until Zack Cozart’s single in the fifth, and the Angels didn’t score until Albert Pujols hit a homer in the seventh.

Pujols’ homer — the 2,994th hit of his career — preceded an Andrelton Simmons single and a Cozart RBI double, which was only good enough to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Nick Tropeano matched Verlander, outpitched him even, for the first three innings. Tropeano retired all nine Houston hitters the first time through the order, with six strikeouts.

In the fourth, Tropeano set down the first two hitters, but then he walked Carlos Correa, walked Josh Reddick and hit Yuli Gurriel with a pitch to load the bases.

Tropeano then fell behind Alex Bregman, 2-and-0 with a pair of sliders, and then he came in with a fastball, and Bregman rocketed it down the left field line for a three-run triple.

In the sixth, Tropeano gave up a homer to José Altuve. After a double and a walk, his day was over with the Angels trailing 4-0.

After the Angels got within 4-2 in the top of the seventh, the Astros got an insurance run in the bottom of the inning when Eduardo Paredes threw an 0-2 fastball over the middle and Jake Marisnick hit it out.

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