Cam Smith, Yainer Diaz Power Astros Past Angels

Yainer Diaz of the Astros celebrating in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Angels

Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

July 29, 2026

Astros 7, Angels 4

The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7–4 on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium, overcoming an early three-run deficit with timely hitting and another strong effort from the pitching staff.

Cam Smith delivered the go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning, while Yainer Diaz finished with three hits, a home run, and three RBI. Hayden Wesneski settled in after a rocky first inning, and four Astros relievers combined to allow a single run over the final 3 1/3 innings.

Astros – Angels Game Summary

The Angels struck first in the opening inning. Zach Neto walked before Mike Trout doubled to put two runners in scoring position. Vaughn Grissom lined a two-run double after Nolan Schanuel lined out, and Jo Adell followed with an RBI single to give the Angels a 3–0 lead. Wesneski limited the damage by inducing an inning-ending double play.

The Astros answered in the second. Diaz launched a solo home run to left-center field to put the Astros on the board. Jeremy Peña added another solo homer in the third, cutting the deficit to 3–2. The Astros threatened further by loading the bases later in the inning, but Grayson Rodriguez escaped without allowing another run.

Both starters settled in through the middle innings. Wesneski retired seven of his next eight hitters after the first. Rodriguez held the Astros scoreless in the fourth and fifth.

The Astros flipped the score in the sixth. Taylor Trammell walked before Diaz singled to put two runners aboard. Smith ripped a two-run double into left field to give the Astros their first lead. A wild pitch later scored Smith, extending the advantage to 5–3.

The Astros added another run in the seventh. Jose Altuve singled with two outs before Diaz delivered an RBI single to make it 6–3.

The Angels trimmed the deficit in the eighth. Schanuel doubled before Adell lifted a sacrifice fly. Bryan Abreu entered with two outs and stranded another runner by striking out Denzer Guzman.

The Astros added insurance in the ninth. Christian Walker reached on an error before Trammell singled. Diaz capped his big night with another RBI single, helping push the lead to 7–4. Abreu sat the Angels down quietly in the ninth to seal the victory.

What Went Right for the Astros

Timely Sixth-Inning Rally

The Astros erased the deficit with three runs in the sixth inning. Diaz started the rally with a single before Smith delivered the go-ahead two-run double. A wild pitch added another insurance run and gave the Astros control of the game.

Yainer Diaz

Diaz finished with three hits, including a solo home run and two RBI singles. He reached base three times and drove in three runs while helping spark multiple scoring innings.

Relief Pitching

After Wesneski completed 5 2/3 innings, Bennett Sousa, Steven Okert, and Bryan Abreu combined to secure the win. Sousa and Abreu both retired all four batters they faced. Okert allowed one run on two hits across 2/3 of an inning, with Abreu stranding the runner he inherited from him to close the eighth.

What Went Wrong for the Astros

Early Deficit

The Angels scored three runs in the opening inning after two walks, a double, and an RBI single.

Missed Opportunity in the Third

After Peña’s home run cut the deficit to one, the Astros loaded the bases with one out. Rodriguez escaped by inducing a routine fly to right by Diaz and prevented the Astros from taking the lead.