Angels can’t stop Jose Altuve in 8-3 loss to Astros

AT THE PLATE: Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, who leads the major leagues with a .340 average, had a home run, double and two singles for his ninth career four-hit game, and Robbie Grossman had two doubles and a single. Angels third baseman Gordon Beckham had three hits, including a run-scoring double in the seventh inning. Since going hitless in his first seven at-bats after his Aug. 21 trade from the Chicago White Sox, Beckham is seven for 16. Erick Aybar doubled in the seventh to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 17 games.

ON THE MOUND: Brad Peacock (4-8) blanked the Angels on one hit through five innings before giving up three runs — two earned — and three hits in the sixth and seventh innings. Angels reliever Vinnie Pestano looked sharp, giving up one hit and striking out three in 1 1/3 innings. Cam Bedrosian was tagged for two unearned runs in the fifth inning, giving up a Dexter Fowler single, a Jason Castro run-scoring double and walking a batter.

ON THE BASES: Kole Calhoun didn’t cost the Angels the game, but he cost them a run in the sixth inning when, with a 7-0 deficit, he made an ill-advised try to stretch a single to center field into a double. Calhoun was thrown out at second base. He would have scored on an error later had he remained at first base.

FREESE FRAME: Third baseman David Freese, 0 for 17 in his last five games and unhappy about starting at designated hitter in four of nine games, was given Tuesday off as a mental break and to work with hitting coaches Don Baylor and Dave Hansen. “There’s definitely a frustration level that has started to creep in,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “We’ll let him exhale for a day.”

MANAGER MATERIAL: Dino Ebel, in his first year as Angels bench coach, is interested in the Astros managerial job, which opened when Bo Porter was fired Monday. “It’s always been a goal of mine,” he said. Said Scioscia: “There’s no doubt in my mind Dino is going to be a great manager, and I’m very confident that at some point he’s going to get an opportunity.”

EXTRA BASES: Scioscia said Cory Rasmus, who gave up one hit and struck out six batters in three innings as a starter against Oakland on Saturday, is a candidate to start Saturday in Minnesota.

UP NEXT: Right-hander Jered Weaver (15-7, 3.57 ERA) will oppose Houston right-hander Collin McHugh (7-9, 2.99) on Wednesday at 5 p.m. PDT at Minute Maid Park. On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 830.