Bregman has 3 RBIs, Astros end skid with 8-2 win over Angels

HOUSTON (AP) — With a sagging offense and losses that were piling up, Houston manager Dusty Baker was searching for a way to jumpstart his team.

He found it Thursday night by putting Carlos Correa in the leadoff spot for the first time in his seven-year career.

Alex Bregman had three hits and three RBIs, Cristian Javier struck out a career-high nine in five scoreless innings and the Astros snapped a three-game skid with an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Correa had two hits, two RBIs and scored three runs. He batted first with Jose Altuve on the COVID-19 list, a spot Baker said he’d keep until Altuve returned.

When Baker approached Correa on Wednesday night about the move, the shortstop said he'd do whatever was necessary to help the team.

“When the leadoff man gets on base, gets an RBI, it makes everything else fall into place," Baker said. “Carlos did a great job tonight."

The Astros had lost nine of 10 after a 6-1 start. They put their road woes behind them quickly in the opener of an eight-game homestand by jumping on Alex Cobb (1-1) for five runs in less than three innings.

“It feels good to come out and score, especially against a team like the Angels because they can hit,” Baker said.

The Angels lost for the third time in four games on a night when Mike Trout left in the fifth inning with a bruised left elbow after being hit by a pitch an inning before.

“It didn’t feel like it hit any of the pad, but the replay showed obviously the pad helped me a lot," Trout said. “Hopefully I’ll be in there tomorrow.”

Albert Pujols, who has the most home runs of any player against the Astros, added to his total on Thursday night, hitting his 61st on a two-run shot in the sixth.

Javier (2-0) was sharp in his return after spending 12 days at the...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Bregman-has-3-RBIs-Astros-end-skid-with-8-2-win-16122786.php