Yainer Diaz homers in 3-run 3rd, Astros beat Diamondbacks 3-1

HOUSTON (AP) — Yainer Diaz hit a solo home run in a three-run third inning, Cristian Javier combined with four relievers to limit Arizona to three hits and the Astros beat the Diamondbacks 3-1 on Friday night.

Houston moved a season-high four games over .500 at 73-69 with its fifth victory in the last six games. The Astros expanded their lead in the AL West to three games over the Texas Rangers.

The Diamondbacks have lost four of their last five games. They fell into a tie with the San Diego Padres for the final NL wild-card spot.

Diaz led off the third with a solo home run to left. With one out, Jeremy Peña and Yordan Alvarez hit back-to-back singles before Isaac Paredes hit an RBI double. Jose Altuve followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Alvarez.

Javier (2-5) yielded one run on one hit — a solo home run to Gabriel Moreno in the fourth — and tied his season high with eight strikeouts in five innings. Javier had his first win since July 27, snapping a four-game slide.

Enyel De Los Santos allowed a hit in a third of an inning, and Bennett Sousa yielded a hit in 1 1/3 innings. Sousa escaped a bases loaded jam in the sixth inducing an inning-ending double play by Nolan Arenado.

Bryan Abreu pitched 1 1/3 innings, and Josh Hader struck out the side in the ninth for his 23rd save in as many chances. It was Hader’s 250th career save.

Arizona starter Merrill Kelly (9-13) surrendered three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in six innings. He threw seven shutout innings in his last start Aug. 29 against the Giants.

RHP Brandon Pfaadt (7-2, 3.49 ERA) was set to start Saturday for the Diamondbacks opposite Astros RHP Ethan Pecko (1-0, 6.23).

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros in Houston, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Houston, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz, right, celebrates with LaMonte Wade Jr. (31) after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Houston, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros' Yainer Diaz celebrates after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Houston, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Houston Astros' Isaac Paredes doubles, allowing Jeremy Peña to scored during the third inningn of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Houston, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

CHICAGO (AP) — Kyle Teel is back with the Chicago White Sox after missing most of the season because of injuries.

Teel was activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, and fellow catcher Drew Romo was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. Teel went 0 for 3 in Chicago's 4-1 victory over Minnesota, flying out to the warning track in right in the fifth inning.

“Obviously his story this year of injuries and some of the setbacks has been tough for him,” manager Will Venable said before the series opener against the Twins. “But really excited to have him back in the lineup, back behind the plate. To get his energy back in the clubhouse, back on the field, it really means a lot.”

Chicago (74-67) leads the AL Central by 2 1/2 games over Cleveland. It is looking to secure an unlikely playoff berth after losing at least 101 games in each of the previous three years.

“This is what I envisioned. Being able to come back and help the team,” Teel said.

Teel, a first-round pick in the 2023 amateur draft, was acquired by Chicago when it traded Garrett Crochet to Boston in December 2024. He hit .273 with eight homers and 35 RBIs in 78 games last year in his rookie season.

But Teel has appeared in just 20 big league games this year, hitting .182 with two homers and 14 RBIs.

He strained his right hamstring while playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. Then he hurt his right knee while on a rehab assignment for Charlotte.

He made his season debut for Chicago on June 22. But he injured his left ankle trying to tag a runner at home in the second inning of a 10-3 victory at Texas on July 20. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain.

“Immediately when it happened, it really felt terrible,” Teel said. “When the doctors said 12 weeks potentially, I just prayed that night. And I just feel blessed that I was able to come back so much sooner. I’m just so grateful for that.”

Romo was claimed off waivers from the New York Mets on Jan. 8. He is batting .141 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 60 games this season. He had no homers and six RBIs in 19 career games — all with Colorado — coming into the year.

The plan is to have Romo stick around the White Sox on the team's taxi squad.

“Drew, he’s going to stay ready,” general manager Chris Getz said. “He’s actually going to stay with our club and help the group continue to go and if another opportunity arises he’ll be ready for it.”

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Chicago White Sox's Kyle Teel watches his popup during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins, Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Kyle Teel watches his pop up during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago White Sox's Kyle Teel watches his pop up during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

FILE - Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel throws the ball back to the pitcher during spring training baseball, Feb. 10, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)