Yordan Alvarez goes deep as Astros hit 5 homers in 13-2 rout of A's to close in on AL West title

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Yordan Alvarez launched a three-run homer and the Houston Astros went deep five times Saturday night as they moved closer to a division title with a 13-2 victory over the Athletics.

Houston (80-81) can clinch the AL West crown and the No. 3 seed in the American League playoffs with another win Sunday over the A's in their regular-season finale or a Texas Rangers loss at Minnesota. Either team will become the first to win a division with a .500 record or worse, excluding shortened seasons.

Alvarez homered in the fifth inning to put the Astros up 6-1. His 42nd homer of the season tied him with Tampa Bay slugger Junior Caminero for second in the AL.

Houston finished with 16 hits as Jeremy Peña, Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve combined for nine of them and seven RBIs.

Peña hit a pair of two-run homers, one in the third and the other in the eighth. He finished 4 for 6 with four RBIs. Parades homered in the first to open the scoring and went 3 for 5.

Hayden Wesneski (6-2) threw seven innings and struck out five while allowing six hits and two runs.

The Astros scored six runs, including Lucas Spence's solo homer, between the seventh and ninth to expand their lead to 13-2.

Jack Perkins (3-13) pitched five innings for the Athletics. He struck out nine but gave up six runs and three homers.

Neither team had announced a starting pitcher for Sunday's regular-season finale.

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Houston Astros' Christian Walker, third from left, takes an at-bat and hits a double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Houston Astros' Lucas Spence celebrates after hitting an RBI double during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Houston Astros pitcher Hayden Wesneski throws to the Athletics during the seventh inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz, left, high-fives pitcher Ronel Blanco after a baseball game against the Athletics Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Houston Astros' Yordan Alvarez watches the ball after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

SEATTLE (AP) — Taylor Ward put Seattle ahead with a pinch-hit two-run single in the seventh inning, J.P Crawford followed with two-run homer and the Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 8-4 on Saturday night.

Mariners left-hander Kade Anderson threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings but left in the fourth after taking a 104 mph line drive to the left arm hit by Christian Moore. Michael Rucker came on in relief. The Mariners said Anderson had a left forearm bruise.

Ward, who has struggled since joining the Mariners from Baltimore at the trade deadline, drove in Cole Young and Michael Arroyo with his hit off Angels lefty Mitch Farris (1-4).

Crawford hit Farris’ next pitch into the right field stands.

The Angels tied the game with four runs in the sixth. Bryce Teodosio drove in two a single off reliever Jose Ferrer, Wade Meckler scored from third on a sacrifice bunt from Tyler Heineman and Jose Siri tied it on a groundout to third base that scored Teodosio.

In the ninth inning, Josh Naylor reached on a walk and stole second base, becoming the first first baseman since George Sisler in 1920-1922 to have consecutive 30-steal seasons.

Gabe Speier pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Mariners. Carlos Vargas (3-0) got the win.

Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (1-6, 4.88 ERA) will face Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (12-11, 3.81 ERA) in Sunday’s season finale.

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Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout reacts to striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, center, greets Josh Naylor, right, as they celebrate a win over the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kade Anderson reacts after being hit by a line drive single by Los Angeles Angels' Christian Moore during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Seattle Mariners left fielder Michael Arroyo, center fielder Randy Arozarena and right fielder Lazaro Montes celebrate a win over the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)