Altuve's homer and Garcia's strong return power the Astros past the Angels, 8-3

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve hit a two-run homer and an RBI single and Ramón Urías also went deep to back up a strong start from Luis Garcia, leading the Houston Astros to an 8-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday.

Garcia (1-0) got the win in his return after sitting out more than two years while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He allowed three hits and three runs with six strikeouts in six innings in his first start since May 1, 2023.

The game was tied with one out in the fifth when Yordan Alvarez singled before moving to second on a groundout by Altuve. Carlos Correa then singled on a grounder to center field to score Alvarez and give Houston a 4-3 lead.

Cam Smith singled with two outs in the sixth to chase Yusei Kikuchi (6-10) before stealing second base. Mauricio Dubón walked and Jeremy Peña’s second double of the day scored Smith to make it 5-3.

Alvarez added an RBI single in the eighth before Altuve’s homer made it 8-3.

Zach Neto hit a solo home run and Jo Adell added a two-run shot for the Angels, whose two-game winning streak was snapped.

Garcia retired the first nine batters before Neto homered to open the fourth inning. Mike Trout singled with one out before Adell launched his 31st homer into the seats in left field to put the Angels on top 3-2.

Kikuchi gave up eight hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Correa’s RBI single in the fifth put Houston on top for good.

The Astros improved to 18-9 this season in games started by a left-hander.

The Angels haven’t announced their starter for Tuesday night’s game at Kansas City.

Houston LHP Framber Valdez (12-7, 3.18 ERA) opposes LHP Max Fried (14-5, 3.06) in the opener of a series against the Yankees on Tuesday night.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Houston Astros' Ramón Urías hits a home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve (27) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the eighth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Los Angeles Angels' Jo Adell runs up the first base line after hitting a two-run home run against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi throws against the Houston Astros during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros' Carlos Correa hits a RBI single against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Houston Astros' Jose Altuve hits a RBI double against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — John Marino scored at 4:03 of the third period to break a tie and give the Utah Mammoth a 2-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday night.

Marino also assisted on Nick Schmaltz's 17th goal of the season and Karel Vejmelka made 26 stops as the Mammoth won for the fifth time in six games.

Mikko Rantanen scored and Jake Oettinger had 25 saves for Dallas, which has lost nine of its last 11 games.

Schmaltz broke a scoreless deadlock with 7 seconds left in the second period, tipping in a feed from Marino. It was the fourth latest goal in any regulation period in Utah's short franchise history.

The Mammoth nearly made it 2-0 just 38 seconds into the third, but Lawson Crouse had his goal wiped off the board for high-sticking.

Rantanen leveled the score with a power-play goal at the 2:04 of the third.

Marino answered two minutes later, snapping the puck home from long distance to put the Mammoth up 2-1 with his second winning goal of the season.

Utah improved to 16-1-1 this season when leading after two periods.

Stars: host Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Mammoth: host Seattle on Saturday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) shoots the puck against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, right, moves the puck against Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, center left, fights for the puck against Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)