David Freese is key in the Angels’ 5-2 victory over the Astros

KEY MOMENT: With the score tied 2-2 in the fourth inning, David Freese doubled home two runs to give the Angels the lead for good. Freese batted .155 in his first 20 games with the Angels but is batting .289 since then, including .368 over his last 11 games. Of his past 12 hits, six have gone for extra bases. The Angels acquired Freese and reliever Fernando Salas last winter from St. Louis for outfielders Peter Bourjos and Randal Grichuk, who have combined to hit .188 for the Cardinals.

AT THE PLATE: Freese, Howie Kendrick and Mike Trout each had two hits for the Angels. Trout is batting .314 overall and .354 since June 1, and he is the only American League regular with an on-base-plus-slugging percentage above 1.000. Long Beach’s Jon Singleton, a touted Astros rookie first baseman, struck out 40 times in his first 100 career at-bats. He’s batting .178.

ON THE MOUND: Matt Shoemaker (6-2) gave up two runs in six innings to earn the victory. He also struck out seven, giving him 57 strikeouts in his first 10 Angels starts. That breaks the franchise record set by Bo Belinsky, who struck out 56 in his first 10 starts. Joe Smith set his pro record with his 10th save, one more than he had for the Class A Brooklyn Cyclones in 2006.

IN THE BULLPEN: Jason Grilli has made four appearances for the Angels without giving up an earned run. He saved 33 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates last year, but Manager Mike Scioscia does not sound as if he is in any hurry to try Grilli as the Angels’ closer. “We’re happy to have Jason,” Scioscia said, “just because he has the potential to close. Right now, Joe Smith has been lights out.” On Thursday, Grilli worked the eighth and Smith the ninth. Scioscia has repeatedly spoken about how valuable Smith is in the seventh and eighth innings, and the Angels have been linked to Huston Street and Joaquin Benoit of the San Diego Padres, either of whom could close in Anaheim. The Angels also would like to add a left-handed reliever. “It’s tough to say what our bullpen will be two weeks from now, or a month from now,” Scioscia said.

UP NEXT: The Angels’ C.J. Wilson (8-6, 3.90) faces the Astros’ Dallas Keuchel (8-5, 2.78) on Friday at 6:05 p.m. at Angel Stadium. TV: FS West. Radio: 830.