Astros slug season-high 5 homers to rout Angels 9-1

HOUSTON (AP) — José Altuve and Yuli Gurriel homered early as the Houston Astros hit a season-high five long balls Wednesday night in a 9-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Altuve launched a leadoff homer and Gurriel, who also went deep Tuesday, added his two-run shot later in the first inning. Kyle Tucker also connected for a second straight game when he smacked another two-run drive off Andrew Heaney (1-3) in the sixth to make it 5-0.

“Guys are getting good pitches to hit and keeping pitchers in the stretch," Astros manager Dusty Baker said. “Hitting’s contagious and just keep them coming."

Houston starter José Urquidy allowed two hits and struck out four in 3 2/3 innings before leaving with posterior shoulder discomfort.

“His strike-to-ball rate was outstanding and then all of a sudden he lost his velocity," Baker said. “He said he was feeling some discomfort behind his shoulder."

Brandon Bielak (2-2) was solid after Urquidy’s early exit, giving up just two hits and a run in 3 1/3 innings for the win.

“He wasn’t trying too hard tonight," Baker said. “We told him to try less and be natural. He gave us all that we needed."

Yordan Álvarez hit a solo homer and Chas McCormick added a three-run shot in the eighth to help the Astros win their second consecutive series after they also took two of three from the Blue Jays.

Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani batted leadoff, making him the first player to do so the day after a pitching start since Ray Caldwell for the Yankees in July 1916. Ohtani, who struck out 10 in seven innings on Tuesday night, went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts on Wednesday.

Angels manager Joe Maddon was asked if he thought fatigue played into Ohtani's off night at the plate.

“He may have been fatigued...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Astros-slug-season-high-5-homers-to-top-Angels-9-1-16173126.php