HOUSTON — Since having his contract selected from Triple-A Salt Lake on Sept. 9, José Suarez has pitched with confidence — and he’s been getting strong results.
The left-hander surrendered one unearned run — the only run he has allowed in three outings since returning to the Majors — over five innings Thursday night in the Angels’ 3-1 loss to the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Suarez, who also logged four scoreless innings in relief against the Astros on Friday in Anaheim, has totaled 12 frames in his three September outings.
The difference, so far, for Suarez?
Manager Ron Washington said he’s pitching with “intensity.”
“Every pitch he makes or tries to make, he’s doing it with intent,” Washington said. “That’s something we have been trying to get him to do. He was out there tonight competing, and that’s what it’s about.”
On Thursday, Suarez yielded three hits, with five strikeouts and two walks.
“He battled,” Washington said. “He and [Astros starter Yusei] Kikuchi went head-to-head. He hung in there and gave us what we needed.”
Thursday was Suarez’s second start of the season and first since allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings at Arizona on June 11.
It was also his longest start since Suarez threw five scoreless innings on April 30, 2023, at Milwaukee.
Through an interpreter, Suarez said that he has more confidence since returning to the Majors this season.
