OC Register: Angels’ Andrew Heaney outduels Justin Verlander to end road victory drought

AngelsWin.com · August 30, 2018

The Angels’ Andrelton Simmons connects for a three-run double in front of Astros catcher Martin Maldonado during the sixth inning of Thursday’s game in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
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Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim leads of first base in the first inning after walking against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (28) throws agains the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve (27) is safe on his double as Los Angeles Angels second baseman David Fletcher goes for a tag during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. Altuve was initially called out on the play but it was overturned on appeal. (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 Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim grouds out to Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros in the second inning at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim grouds out to Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros in the second inning at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Martin Maldonado #15 of the Houston Astros throws out Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after a swinging strike three in the fourth inning at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate during the first inning of Thursday’s game against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston. Heaney pitched six scoreless innings for his first road win since 2015. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros throw out Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the second inning at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros strikes out in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: AJ Hinch #14 of the Houston Astros takes the ball from Justin Verlander #35 in the sixth inning as Carlos Correa #1 and Alex Bregman #2 look on against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) is congratulated as he scores the fourth run of the inning on the double by Andrelton Simmons during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Justin Upton #8 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim singles in a run in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim singles in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 30: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim singles in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on August 30, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Houston Astros relief pitcher Chris Devenski reacts as he returns to the mound after being called for a balk, scoring Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Los Angeles Angels batter Francisco Arcia (37) celebrates with Shohei Ohtani (17) as Ohtani scores on a balk by Houston Astros relief pitcher Chris Devenski during the eighth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, center, watches the ball he just hit during batting practice before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani during batting practice before the start of a baseball game against the Houston Astros Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

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HOUSTON — If you were to guess the circumstances of Andrew Heaney’s first road victory in nearly three years, you probably wouldn’t come up with this.

Heaney, who has been inexplicably a different pitcher on the road this season, pitched six scoreless innings in the Angels’ 5-2 victory over the Houston Astros, and Justin Verlander, on Thursday night.

Against the first-place Astros, who finally have all their regulars healthy, Heaney allowed five hits and he struck out six, throwing 97 pitches.

He had not won a road game since Sept. 2, 2015 – before having Tommy John surgery. This season, he came into the game with a 5.37 ERA on the road, compared with 2.59 at home.

The Angels got him four runs in a quick burst in the sixth inning, after having struck out 11 times in the first five innings against Verlander.

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Kole Calhoun led off with a double. An out later, Mike Trout singled. Justin Upton poked a single into right field to drive in a run. That knocked Verlander out of the game after 99 pitches.

The Astros summoned lefty reliever Tony Sipp to face Shohei Ohtani, and he walked him. Andrelton Simmons then greeted righty Will Harris with a bases-clearing double into left-center.

Heaney, who retired seven of the last eight batters he faced, then pitched a perfect sixth before turning the game over to the bullpen.

Hansel Robles, Justin Anderson and Blake Parker each pitched an inning to close it out.

More to come on this story.

Come on home!@Andrelton clears the bases with scorching 3-run double! pic.twitter.com/47wTUU9Fjj

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) August 31, 2018

RUNS!@JUST_JUP gets the @Angels scoring going and knocks @JustinVerlander out of the game with one swing! pic.twitter.com/IOuHi4Amu2

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) August 31, 2018

There are routine 6-4-3 double plays and then there are @Andrelton–@d22fletcher–@jefrymarte19 double plays pic.twitter.com/AJxwm84bph

— FOX Sports West (@FoxSportsWest) August 31, 2018

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OC Register: Angels’ Andrew Heaney outduels Justin Verlander to end road victory drought

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