The Houston Astros ended their 2025 campaign with a thunderous display of power, launching four home runs to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 in Sunday’s season finale. While the win was bittersweet for Houston—marking their first playoff miss since 2016—it was a night to remember for fans craving fireworks and a glimpse of what could have been.
Astros Go Deep, Angels Strike Out
Houston’s bats came alive in the fifth inning, snapping a 1-1 tie with a relentless assault.
Yainer Diaz and
Brice Matthews each blasted solo shots, while
Ramón Urías delivered the knockout blow with a two-run homer.
Victor Caratini added a solo homer in the sixth, capping the Astros’ power surge.
The Angels, meanwhile, struggled to keep pace.
Mike Trout provided a highlight with a mammoth 443-foot homer in the first inning—his fifth in seven games—but the offense sputtered when it mattered most. Los Angeles loaded the bases in the ninth, only to see Astros reliever
Jayden Murray slam the door with back-to-back strikeouts.
Pitching Performances and Season Reflections
Astros starter
Lance McCullers Jr. made a brief but encouraging return from injury, allowing just one run over three innings.
Colton Gordon was nearly untouchable in relief, tossing five hitless frames to earn the win.
For the Angels, rookie
Sam Aldegheri was tagged for four runs in 4 2/3 innings. The loss dropped Los Angeles to a 72-90 record, extending their playoff drought to 11 seasons despite a modest nine-win improvement over last year.
The Angels’ struggles at the plate were historic: they finished with a franchise-record 1,627 strikeouts, the second-most in MLB history behind the 2023 Minnesota Twins.
Trout’s Season: Flashes of Brilliance, Lingering Questions
Mike Trout closed the year with 26 home runs and 64 RBIs in 130 games, but his .232 average and .798 OPS were both career lows. After a late-season power surge, questions linger about his long-term health and the Angels’ ability to build a contender around their superstar.
What’s Next for Houston and Los Angeles?
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Astros: Despite missing the playoffs, Houston’s late-season power surge and the return of key arms like McCullers offer hope for a quick rebound in 2026.
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Angels: With another losing season in the books, the pressure is on management to break the cycle and finally deliver postseason baseball to Anaheim.
Takeaways
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Houston’s offense remains dangerous, even in a down year.
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The Angels’ strikeout woes highlight a need for lineup changes and better plate discipline.
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Both teams face pivotal offseasons as they look to retool and contend in a competitive AL West.
Sources
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9. Astros vs. Angels Highlights | 09/28/2025 - MLB.com
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11. Astros hit four homers in season-ending 6-2 win over Angels - CTPost
