George Springer and Alex Bregman homered, Wade Miley pitched two-run ball into the sixth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 Thursday night.
Springer drove four home runs during the four-game series, tying Craig Biggio for the most when batting leadoff in a series in franchise history. Biggio had his four connections during a three-game set against the Cubs in 1998.
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George Springer and Alex Bregman homered, Wade Miley pitched two-run ball into the sixth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 Thursday night.
Springer's solo shot to right-center off Matt Harvey (3-5) in the third inning was his 22nd of the season, matching his total from last year. Bregman's homer to lead off the sixth gave Houston a 6-0 lead. It was the shortstop's team-leading 25th, which is fourth in the AL.
Harvey's 7.09 ERA is third-highest in the majors among pitchers who have made 12 or more starts.
THROW IT BACK
TRAINER'S ROOM
The Angels didn't get much of a lift from the return of Mike Trout, who missed three games with a strained right calf. Trout was the designated hitter and went 1 for 4.
Houston Astros' George Springer watches his solo home run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 18, 2019. (AP PhotoKyusung Gong)
Springer's solo shot to right-center off Matt Harvey (3-5) in the third inning was his 22nd of the season, matching his total from last year. Bregman's homer to lead off the sixth gave Houston a 6-0 lead. It was the shortstop's team-leading 25th, which is fourth in the AL.
Miley (8-4) yielded only two walks over the first 4 2/3 innings before Brian Goodwin's double to right. The left-hander improved to 4-0 in his career against the Angels, allowing two runs and three hits over 5 1/3 innings.
Harvey's rollercoaster season continued. This was the sixth time in 12 starts the right-hander has surrendered five or more runs. He has allowed two or fewer in his other six.
Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman, right, turns a double play next to Los Angeles Angels' Albert Pujols during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 18, 2019. Kole Calhoun was out at first. (AP PhotoKyusung Gong)
Harvey's 7.09 ERA is third-highest in the majors among pitchers who have made 12 or more starts.
The Astros scored their first five runs with two outs. Yordan Alvarez's two-run double down the right field line put Houston on the board in the first for the second straight night. They added three in the third on Springer's solo shot, Yuli Gurriel's RBI double and a run-scoring single by Josh Reddick.
Los Angeles scored both of its runs in the sixth. Justin Upton's sacrifice fly drove in David Fletcher, and Albert Pujols had an RBI single.
Houston Astros' George Springer, right, celebrates his solo home run as Los Angeles Angels catcher Dustin Garneau waits during the third inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 18, 2019. (AP PhotoKyusung Gong)
THROW IT BACK
A young boy in an Astros jersey ended up with the ball from Bregman's homer, then stunned a man who appeared to be his father by throwing the ball back onto the field.
STREAKS AND STATS
The Angels went 5-2 on their first homestand following the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs. ... Houston has won two straight after losing four of the first six after the All-Star break.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Wade Miley winds up during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 18, 2019. (AP PhotoKyusung Gong)
TRAINER'S ROOM
Astros: IF Aledmys Diaz (left hamstring strain) will have rehab appearances at Double-A Corpus Christi on Friday and Saturday. Manager AJ Hinch said there is a possibility Diaz could be activated on Monday.
Angels: Pujols left in the eighth inning with left hamstring tightness and is considered day-to-day. ... RHP JC Ramirez, who had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last April, will have one more rehab appearance at Class A Inland Empire. Ramirez said he anticipates being ready by the beginning of August. Manager Brad Ausmus said the plan is to bring back Ramirez as a reliever when he is activated.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Matt Harvey throws during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Houston Astros in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday, July 18, 2019. (AP PhotoKyusung Gong)
UP NEXT
Astros: Return home to face Texas in a three-game series. RHP Justin Verlander (11-4, 2.98 ERA), who is third in the AL in ERA and fourth in strikeouts (160), gets the call Friday.
Angels: Hit the road for a weekend series against Seattle. Friday's starter has not been determined.
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