Altuve, Tucker lead Astros past D'backs to get back to .500

HOUSTON (AP) — Jose Altuve drove in two, Kyle Tucker had a tiebreaking single and the Houston Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2 on Saturday night to get back to .500.

Altuve tied it at 2 in the sixth with an RBI double, and Tucker put Houston ahead with his single three batters later, chasing starter Luke Weaver (1-8). Tucker has driven in four in the last three games and has 41 RBIs this season.

“The RBIs are based on the guys being on base in front of me,” Tucker said. “I just try to go up there and hit the ball hard and go from there.”

Altuve also had a run-scoring groundout in the third. The three-time AL batting champion is hitting just .219 this season.

The Astros improved to 26-26 and remained in second place in the AL West.

“We just want to be there to get our best baseball ahead,” manager Dusty Baker said. “Under a normal 162-game season, you wouldn’t be that worried about Jose because you figured he had another 300 or 400 (at bats) to go.

"The only reason guys are concerned and pressing a little is because of the shortened season. Our best baseball is ahead of us.”

Arizona's Kole Calhoun hit his sixth homer in five games, leading off the second inning with a solo shot to right. Calhoun has 15 homers this season.

Josh Rojas increased the lead to 2-0 in the third on a sacrifice fly.

Weaver allowed three runs and five hits with five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings in losing his fifth straight decision.

“Obviously, the sixth inning wasn’t what we wanted,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “He made a few mistakes and they jumped on him for two runs and their bullpen held on. Overall, I thought Luke was fantastic.”

Weaver said he didn’t have crisp command, but he was making the pitches when he needed to.

“I was able to get...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Altuve-Tucker-lead-Astros-past-D-backs-to-get-15581075.php