Alex Bregman hit his career-high 32nd homer and Wade Miley earned his seventh straight win as the Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 on Saturday night.
The AL-West leading Astros tied the New York Yankees for the best record in the AL at 84-47. The Angels lost their fourth in a row.
Michael Brantley extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a two-run homer in the first inning. Bregman upped the lead to 5-0 with a three-run homer in the third — the All-Star third baseman hit 31 home runs last year.
Houston Astros' Michael Brantley watches his two-run home run off Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Dillon Peters during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoEric Christian Smith)
Miley (13-4) yielded one run on five hits with four strikeouts over five innings. He retired the first nine batters before David Fletcher doubled to lead off the fourth.
Will Harris pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.
Luis Rengifo hit a solo home run in the Angels fifth. Mike Trout cut the lead to 5-2 with an RBI single in the seventh.
Houston Astros starting pitcher Wade Miley delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoEric Christian Smith)
Dillon Peters (3-2) allowed five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. The left-hander gave up five runs for a second straight start.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: RHP/DH Shohei Ohtani (Tommy John) threw a bullpen Saturday. "Curveball and slider, fastball looked good," manager Brad Ausmus said. "He looked free and easy." Ausmus added that for now, Ohtani will continue throwing bullpens. . RHP Keynan Middleton (Tommy John) will continue his rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday after allowing one hit and striking out one in an inning on Friday night.
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Dillon Peters delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019, in Houston. (AP PhotoEric Christian Smith)
Astros: INF Aledmys Díaz began a rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Round Rock. He went 0 for 4. . RHP Josh James (shoulder soreness) will continue his rehabilitation assignment on Sunday with Round Rock. . RHP Brady Rodgers cleared waivers and was unconditionally released. He was designated for assignment on Thursday.
YORDAN HITS SCOREBOARD
Houston rookie Yordan Alvarez launched a home run during batting practice that hit the bottom right hand corner of the Astros' massive scoreboard above right field. The monster drive darkened a panel on the board. During the first inning, a message in that corner of the scoreboard read 'Alvarez hit the ball here during BP.'
UP NEXT
Angels: RHP Jaime Barria (4-6, 6.35 ERA) starts the finale of the three-game series on Sunday looking to build off his last start in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rangers in which he allowed two runs over five innings.
Astros: LHP Framber Valdez (3-6, 5.58) will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock and start on Sunday. Valdez has lost four straight starts with the Astros, with his last start July 15 against the Angels.
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