Yordan Alvarez goes deep and Spencer Arrighetti fans 10, lifting the Astros past the Rockies 3-1

HOUSTON (AP) — Yordan Alvarez hit his seventh home run of the season and Spencer Arrighetti struck out 10 in six strong innings to lead the Houston Astros to a 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.

Alvarez, who took Jose Quintana deep in the third inning, is tied for second in the majors in homers.

Arrighetti (1-0) gave up two hits and one run in his first major league start this season after being recalled from Triple-A following an injury to right-hander Cody Bolton.

Houston has won two straight following an eight-game skid. The Rockies have lost six in a row after winning their previous four.

The Rockies had runners on first and third with two outs in the seventh, but Bryan Abreu retired TJ Rumfield on a groundout. Enyel De Los Santos struck out two in a scoreless ninth to get the save for a second night in a row.

Christian Walker opened the scoring for the Astros with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the first. Cam Smith followed with another sac fly.

Colorado's Ezequiel Tovar walked to open the second and scored on a double by Willi Castro.

Troy Johnston and Castro both left the game after being hit by pitches from Arrighetti. Johnston was hit in the right thigh, and the Rockies said he had a bruised quadriceps.

Castro was hit on the right hand in the fourth and was removed from the game. Manager Warren Schaeffer said X-rays on Castro’s hand were negative but that it was swollen.

Quintana (0-1) allowed three hits and three runs while walking four in 3 2/3 innings in his return after missing more than two weeks with a hamstring injury.

Right-hander Ryan Weiss (0-2, 7.36 ERA) will start for Houston in Thursday night’s finale of the three-game series. The Rockies had not announced a starter.

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

Houston Astros pitcher Spencer Arrighetti delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Colorado Rockies pitcher Jose Quintana delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Houston Astros right fielder Cam Smith fields a base hit by Colorado Rockies' Mickey Moniak during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

Colorado Rockies' Willi Castro reacts after being hit on the hand by a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper left Saturday’s game against Cleveland in the third inning after getting hit by a pitch.

A right-handed hitter, Culpepper was hit in the upper back by a 95 mph fastball from Franco Aleman.

On the ground and in pain, Culpepper, who was also hit by a pitch in Friday’s loss, was tended to by trainers but got up and slowly started to make his way toward first base. However, he stopped about halfway there and was removed from the game.

X-rays were negative and Culpepper was diagnosed with a right shoulder contusion, the team said. He is considered day to day.

Culpepper is hitting .286 in 30 games since making his major league debut Aug. 7.

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Minnesota Twins' Kaelen Culpepper reacts after being hit by a Cleveland Guardians pitch during the third inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper hits a double during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)