Baseball: Imai knocked out early as Astros rally to beat Angels

CHICAGO , Jul 28 (KYODO/APP):Tatsuya Imai was knocked out early and did not factor in the decision as the Houston Astros came from behind to beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4.

The Japanese right-hander lasted only two-thirds of an inning at Angel Stadium, in which he allowed one hit and four walks, while striking out one.

Houston trailed 4-2 before turning the game around and getting Imai off the hook for the loss with a four-run rally in the top of the ninth.

In other Major League Baseball action, Kazuma Okamoto scored his team’s crucial third run after reaching with a single as the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Washington Nationals 3-2.

The Japanese third baseman also recorded the first steal of his MLB career following the fourth-inning single to left field at Nationals Park.

“I ran after seeing the sign,” said Okamoto, who went 1-for-4. “I was happy to be safe and it’s good my team won.”

Elsewhere, Munetaka Murakami went 1-for-3 with a single in the Chicago White Sox’s 9-5 defeat to the New York Yankees at Rate Field.