Jordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker home runs and finished with four hits each over the Houston Astros. victory 10-4 over Los Angeles on Saturday night.
Victor Caratini hit an early, three-run homer to help lead the Astros past Ronel Blanco (12-6). Houston had 20 hits this season and lowered its magic number to three to take the AL West crown.
Alvarez and Tucker homered off reliever Ryan Miller to issue three walks in the seventh inning with Houston already leading 8-2. This is the seventh time the team has been beaten by a local rival this season.
Tucker had his second straight four-hit game. Alvarez entered the night hitless in his previous 12 at-bats.
Alvarez and Tucker hit back-to-back doubles in the first to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. The Angels closed it out in the second. Mickey Monacho scored a goal Logan O’HoppeDouble after a throwing error to left field by Mauricio Dubón.
Houston took the lead in the second when Jose Altuve homered off Caratini with the bases loaded. Jake Myers scored when the next batter, Alvarez, doubled.
Houston opened the game with a four-run third that included a three-run shot by Caratini, who also walked, singled and scored two runs.
Myers went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, a stolen base and a run scored.
Blanco allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings with nine strikeouts. His 2.88 ERA ranks third in the American League.
Chief of the angels Reid Detmers (4-8) was chased after allowing the first four batters to reach the Astros safely in the third. He allowed seven runs and nine hits and walked just five of the 17 batters he faced.
O’Hoppe went four for four with a homer and two doubles. Nolan Shanuel extended his hitting streak to 12 games for Los Angeles.
Injury Update
Angels: Defensive back Jordin Adams is out for a second straight game with a sore right knee.
Astros: RHP Tayler Scott was placed on the 15-day injured list with a thoracic spine strain. … OF Chas McCormick, who has been on the injured list since Sept. 11 with a fractured right hand, was able to catch a bat before the game and is moving closer to the rotation.
Above
With the series scheduled for Sunday, Houston right-hander Spencer Arrigetti (7-13, 4.68 ERA) faces Griffin Canning (6-13, 5.16 ERA).
