Kyle Tucker homers as the Astros beat the Rockies 8-2 in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Kyle Tucker, Jose Altuve and Jeremy Peña each hit a solo homer, helping Framber Valdez and the Houston Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 8-2 on Sunday in Mexico City.

Tucker and Yainer Diaz each drove in two runs as Houston swept the two-game series at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium.

Valdez (1-0) pitched five innings of two-run ball in his first big league start since April 2. The left-hander allowed five hits, struck out six and walked none.

Valdez had been sidelined by elbow inflammation, one of several pitching injuries that had contributed to Houston's 9-19 start. Justin Verlander is back, but the Astros are awaiting the return of Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. at some point this season.

Elias Díaz had two hits for Colorado, and Sean Bouchard and Jacob Stallings each drove in a run. Austin Gomber was charged with four runs and six hits in seven innings.

The Rockies have dropped 11 of 14 games.

Houston had lost five in a row before arriving in Mexico City, scoring a total of 10 runs during the slide. But it fared much better at Alfredo Harp Helu, with its elevation of 7,349 feet.

Yordan Alvarez hit two homers and Tucker also went deep during Saturday’s 12-4 victory.

Tucker connected in the first inning in the finale of the two-game set. Altuve went deep in the third, and Peña hit his third homer in the fourth.

It was Houston’s second regular-season visit to Mexico. It swept two games in Monterrey against the Angels in May 2019.

The Astros also played exhibition games in Mexico against the Padres in 2016 and Marlins in 2004.

The Rockies also had played in Mexico before. They beat San Diego in Monterrey in their 1999 season opener.

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber recieves the ball during third inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros at Alfredo Harp Helu stadium in Mexico City, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Houston Astros Jose Altuve grounds into a double play during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Alfredo Harp Helu stadium in Mexico City, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña, left, runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during fourth inning of a baseball game at Alfredo Harp Helu stadium in Mexico City, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Houston Astros second base Jose Altuve connects a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies during third inning of a baseball game at Alfredo Harp Helu stadium in Mexico City, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Houston Astros Jose Altuve, center, celebrates his one run home run against the Colorado Rockies during third inning of a baseball game at Alfredo Harp Helu stadium in Mexico City, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

ISTANBUL (AP) — A curator at the American Museum of Natural History was detained in Istanbul on Monday while allegedly attempting to smuggle spider and scorpion samples, Turkish media reported. The curator said he had permits from the government to conduct his research.

Lorenzo Prendini, an expert on arachnids at the New York-based museum, was held by police at Istanbul Airport while allegedly trying to take about 1,500 samples out of the country, news outlets reported.

The state-run Anadolu news agency reported that Prendini was detained for allegedly attempting to smuggle species found in Turkey. In emailed comments to The Associated Press, Prendini said he had appeared before a judge and was released without charge.

Video published by the Demiroren News Agency showed officers searching hand luggage and removing plastic bags that appeared to be packed with dead spiders and scorpions.

Prendini said the police had disregarded permits from the Turkish government to conduct his research in collaboration with Turkish scientists.

“The police completely ignored this and relied on the testimony of an ‘expert’ who has a conflict of interest with my collaborators … and whose scientific research is highly questionable,” he said.

“The police have completely violated due process and it appears they would like to find me guilty in the court of public opinion.”

The museum’s website lists Prendini as the curator of its spider, scorpion, centipede and millipede collections. It says his research into spiders and scorpions has taken him to more than 30 countries.

FILE - The south entrance to the American Museum of Natural History is seen, Jan. 11, 2017, in New York. Lorenzo Prendini, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, was detained in Istanbul on Monday, May 13, 2024, while allegedly attempting to smuggle spider and scorpion samples, Turkish media reported. The curator said he had permits from the government to conduct his research. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

In this photo released by Turkish security, confiscated spider and scorpion samples are displayed at the Istanbul Airport, Turkey on Monday, May 13, 2024. Turkish media say a curator at the American Museum of Natural History has been detained in Istanbul while allegedly attempting to smuggle spider and scorpion samples. Lorenzo Prendini, an expert on arachnids at the New York-based museum, says he has permits from the government to conduct his research. He was held by police at Istanbul Airport on Monday while allegedly trying to take about 1,500 samples out of the country. (Turkish Security Sources Via DIA)

In this photo released by Turkish security, confiscated spider and scorpion samples are displayed at the Istanbul Airport, Turkey on Monday, May 13, 2024. Turkish media say a curator at the American Museum of Natural History has been detained in Istanbul while allegedly attempting to smuggle spider and scorpion samples. Lorenzo Prendini, an expert on arachnids at the New York-based museum, says he has permits from the government to conduct his research. He was held by police at Istanbul Airport on Monday while allegedly trying to take about 1,500 samples out of the country. (Turkish Security Sources Via DIA)