Angels fall to Astros, 8-5

KEY MOMENT: With Houston leading, 4-3, in the eighth inning, Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian — who made his big league debut Tuesday — walked the bases loaded. Fernando Salas replaced him and immediately gave up a two-run double to Jose Altuve and a two-run single to George Springer, widening the Astros’ lead to 8-3. “It’s pretty frustrating, but it’s something I’ve got to bounce back from,” Bedrosian said.

ON THE MOUND: The Astros mostly used a small-ball attack of infield hits, bunts and stolen bases against Angels starter Tyler Skaggs, who gave up four runs and seven hits in five innings. Kevin Jepsen continued to pitch stellar relief; he retired the side in the seventh inning and now has not given up a hit or a run in his last 11 appearances covering eight innings. Springer, Houston’s highly touted rookie, struck out looking at Jepsen’s 97-mph fastball. “I’m trying to do the same thing I’ve been doing all season, just throw strikes and attack guys,” Jepsen said.

AT THE PLATE: Mike Trout had a run-scoring double and Albert Pujols’ sacrifice fly provided another run. Erick Aybar singled home Chris Iannetta, who had doubled off the left-field wall, in the fifth inning and Aybar picked up another run batted in when he walked with the bases loaded in the ninth inning. Iannetta had his first three-hit game of the season and David Freese had two hits.

EXTRA BASES: The Angels chose left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb of the University of Hartford (Conn.) in the first round of the amateur draft; he was the 15th pick overall. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Newcomb went 8-2 with a 1.25 earned-run average at Hartford this season, striking out 106 in 93 1/3 innings. Angels scouting director Ric Wilson described Newcomb as “a four-pitch pitcher with two solid breaking pitches. We’re elated to get him.” It was the first time since 2011 that the Angels had a first-round draft pick. The Angels used their second-round pick and 53rd overall selection on Joe Gatto, a 6-4, 215-pound right-hander from St. Augustine Prep in Richland, N.J. Gatto, whose fastball has touched 97 mph, went 7-1 with a 0.94 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings this past season.

UP NEXT: As the Angels return to Angel Stadium to play the Chicago White Sox, Angels ace Jered Weaver (6-4, 3.33 ERA) faces Andre Rienzo (4-2, 4.26) at 7 p.m. Friday. TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: 830, 1330.