09/20/24 10:23:00
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09/20 22:21 CDT Tucker, Bregman and Meyers all homer to help Astros to 9-7 win
over Angels
Tucker, Bregman and Meyers all homer to help Astros to 9-7 win over Angels
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) --- Kyle Tucker had four hits, including a home run, and Jake
Meyers and Alex Bregman both hit home runs while combining for six RBIs to help
the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-7 on Friday night.
The victory dropped Houston's magic number to clinch the AL West to four.
Bregman's two-run shot put the Astros up 3-1 in the third. Meyers stretched the
lead to 6-1 with his three-run home run with two outs in the inning.
The Angels scored three runs in the fifth to get within 8-6 before Tucker's
solo shot to the bullpen in right-center made it 9-6 in the sixth. He went 4
for 5 to tie a career high in hits.
Kevin Pillar, who was reinstated from the injured list Friday, hit a solo homer
in the seventh inning for the Angels but Houston's bullpen shut Los Angeles
down the rest of the way.
Justin Verlander gave up eight hits and six runs in 4 2/3 innings. It's the
third time in four starts where the three-time Cy Young Award winner has
allowed eight hits and at least five runs.
Hector Neris (10-5) allowed three hits and a run in 1 1/3 innings for the win
and Josh Hader pitched a scoreless ninth for his 33rd save.
The Astros jumped on Tyler Anderson (10-14) for eight hits and six runs ---
three earned --- in just 2 2/3 innings, his shortest start this season.
Matt Thaiss, who snapped an 0 for 34 skid with a single in the fourth, had two
hits and drove in two runs for Los Angeles and Eric Wagaman added three hits
and two RBIs.
The Astros led 1-0 after a sacrifice fly by Mauricio Dubn with one out in the
second.
Angels rookie Gustavo Campero hit his first career triple with one out in the
third inning. He scored on a single by Jack Lpez that tied it at 1-1.
Pillar walked with one out in the fourth and stole second base with two outs.
Wagaman's single to right field scored him to cut the lead to 6-2. Thaiss then
singled to get his first hit since Aug. 22. Verlander plunked Campero to load
the bases and Lpez singled to make it 6-3.
Bregman and Diaz hit RBI singles in the fourth to push the lead to 8-3.
The Angels had runners on first and third with no outs in the fifth when
Bregman saved a run with a leaping catch on a liner hit by Pillar. Wagaman hit
an RBI double with two outs in the inning to get Los Angeles within 8-4 and
chase Verlander.
Bryan King took over and Thaiss singled to center field to scored two more and
cut the lead to 8-6.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: INF Charles Leblanc was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake to make room for
Pillar on the roster.
UP NEXT
Houston RHP Ronel Blanco (11-6, 2.88 ERA) opposes LHP Reid Detmers (4-7, 6.05)
when the series continues Saturday night.
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AP MLB: https://www.apnews.com/hub/MLB
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