Kai-Wei Teng pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, earning a win in his debut for the Astros.

During the third contest of the opening four-game set between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels, pitcher Kai-Wei Teng took the mound when his team was down 0-6. He provided 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, aiding the Astros in their eventual 11-9 comeback victory. Teng not only claimed his first win of the 2026 season but also helped the team secure a reversal in his inaugural appearance for the Astros.

The Astros, having lost the first two home games to the Angels, aimed to bounce back in this match. Starting pitcher Cristian Javier navigated the first two innings smoothly, but in the third, he was taken deep by Oswald Peraza for a solo home run. In the fourth, Jorge Soler added a two-run homer. In the fifth, Javier issued a hit-by-pitch, allowed a hit, and walked a batter; with two outs and a runner on third, he was replaced.

After Teng entered, he first walked a batter, then committed a wild pitch, allowing the runner inherited from Javier to score. Fortunately, he induced Yoán Moncada to ground out, ending the Angels' threat in that inning, though the Astros were already trailing 0-6.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Astros launched their counterattack. Following consecutive hits to load the bases, Isaac Paredes drove in two runs with a long hit, and Carlos Correa added another blow, narrowing the gap to three runs.

In the top of the sixth, Teng continued pitching, using 13 pitches to retire the side in order and recording his first strikeout of the game against Josh Lowe. In the bottom of the sixth, the Astros capitalized on an error and a hit to get on base. With two outs, they first scored a run via a wild pitch, then ignited a furious rally. Correa, with bases loaded, hit a soft infield single; a throwing error by the catcher allowed the Astros to tie the game. Christian Walker then delivered the go-ahead hit.

The Angels brought in Joey Lucchesi, but he couldn't stop the bleeding; after a walk, Yainer Diaz and Jake Meyers followed with consecutive hits. The Astros exploded for 8 runs in the inning, flipping the score to 11-6.

In the top of the seventh, Teng allowed a hit to Peraza, but teammate Walker made a spectacular defensive play along the line. Teng steadied himself, retiring the next two batters consecutively, including striking out Nolan Schanuel. In this outing, Teng pitched 2.1 innings in relief, issuing one walk, striking out two, and allowing only one hit, maintaining a 0.00 ERA.

With the lead, the Astros handed the final two innings to Bryan King and Bryan Abreu. Abreu faced trouble in the top of the ninth: after two outs, he issued consecutive walks and was then taken deep by Schanuel for a three-run homer, allowing the Angels to close to 9-11. Fortunately, he steadied himself promptly, striking out Soler to end the game.

Ultimately, the Astros won 11-9, securing their first victory of the 2026 season, with the win credited to Kai-Wei Teng.