Alex Bregman delivers big hit, Astros take 3 of 4 from Halos

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Alex Bregman faces ample challenges heading into this season with the Houston Astros. Along with every player's short spring preparations, he also has to get used to playing alongside rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña after five remarkable years next to veteran Carlos Correa.

The Astros star third baseman still started out superbly in the season-opening series for the defending AL champions.

Bregman put the Astros ahead with a two-run single in the fifth, and José Urquidy yielded four hits over five innings in Houston's 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Bregman began life after Correa by going 6 for 14 with two homers and driving in six runs in Houston's first four games. His two-out, two-RBI single off reliever Austin Warren in the finale ended up being the decisive hit as Houston took three of four from its AL West rivals.

“I feel pretty good,” Bregman said. “Just getting the timing squared away. Haven't got that many at-bats yet, but doing all right. I was just able to put some good swings on it.”

Chas McCormick had a late RBI single, and Peña delivered three hits while the Astros dominated at Angel Stadium yet again.

“You're starting to get a little worried there,” manager Dusty Baker said of the Astros' 13 consecutive scoreless innings before their fifth-inning breakout Sunday. “Our pitching held us until our offense could do something, and today most of our offense was Breggy.”

Jack Mayfield homered against his former team for the Angels, but they scored more than two runs just once in the four-game series — and that was late in a blowout loss Friday.

“We have to be more offensive consistently against the entire division, not just Houston,” Los Angeles manager Joe Maddon said. “But by no means am I discouraged. ... Don't be...

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