Wesneski returns from Tommy John, as Astros rally past Angels 7-4 to climb back toward .500

ANAHEIM. Hayden Wesneski’s return became the emotional center of Houston’s latest turn toward respectability. The Astros completed a 7-4 come-from-behind victory over the Angels, a game that matched a broader message for Houston’s season, the long climb back to.500 is no longer theoretical.

Wesneski, making his first start in nearly 15 months, earned the win after working his way through a return from Tommy John surgery. For a club that has spent stretches mixing urgency with patience, the ability to get innings from a pitcher returning to full workload can change how the rest of the rotation is managed, particularly late in the first half and into the planning for the summer stretch run.

At the plate, the Astros provided a late charge powered by extra-base damage. Yainer Díaz and Jeremy Peña each delivered home runs, giving Houston offense that didn’t have to rely on a single late rally to break the game open. In close, mid-division contests like this, multi-source power is often what turns a deficit into a margin before bullpen usage balloons.

The win also carried a standings implication beyond a single box-score line. By tying this performance to the team’s climb back to.500, the result was framed as a turning point rather than a random late-game improvement. In practical terms, it tightens the margin for error as the schedule continues to sort out who is building separation and who is still searching for consistency.

Houston’s path from here will likely hinge on sustaining the balance shown in this game. A comeback win offers confidence, but the repeatable part matters: can the Astros continue to generate power when games tighten, and can their starting pitching rotation provide dependable quality while pitchers return from significant procedures?

For the Angels, the loss means another reminder that their ability to keep games at arm’s length will be tested by teams that can find the game-changing swing late. For Houston, Wesneski’s next start becomes the natural follow-up storyline. Whether his return is a one-game burst of timing or the beginning of a longer stretch of reliable performance will help determine how far the Astros can push themselves beyond the.500 conversation.