'That's Astros baseball': Houston at its best in sweep of O's

HOUSTON -- With the way they came out and dominated the Orioles this weekend at Minute Maid Park, the Astros served notice to the rest of the American League they’re not quite ready to yield their status as one of the league’s heavyweights.

The surging Astros got seven strong innings from starting pitcher Framber Valdez and four hits from third baseman Alex Bregman to thump the Orioles, 8-1, on Sunday afternoon and polish off an impressive three-game sweep of a team that rarely gets swept. It was only the second time Baltimore has been swept in its past 116 series.

“They’re a great ballclub, and they’ve got a great pitching staff, but we swung the bat really well today and all series long,” said Bregman, who’s 12-for-26 in his past six games. “I’m very proud of the effort and the preparation of the guys, and we’ve got to keep that rolling.”

Houston has won five consecutive games without star slugger Kyle Tucker, who’s on the injured list with a right shin contusion, and at 38-40 has put itself in position to reach .500 by the end of its homestand, which concludes with games against Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I feel like the energy has been key, the focus has been key and showing up with good vibes and coming to play,” said shortstop Jeremy Peña, who had three hits and three RBIs.

The energy has improved with rookie Joey Loperfido and versatile Mauricio Dubón playing every day, and manager Joe Espada lauded the club’s attention to deal. On Sunday, Dubón dropped down a successful sacrifice bunt on his own and Yainer Diaz shortened his swing and got two sac flies -- the kinds of little things that get overshadowed by hits and homers.

The Astros had their fair share of those, too, and outscored the Orioles, 27-13, during the series without making an error. They were 11-for-31 (.355) with runners in scoring position.

“That’s Astros baseball,” Espada said. “That’s what we expect from our team. From the energy, attention to detail, playing the game on the bases, on the defensive side, pitching, setting the tone -- [Jose] Altuve from pitch No. 1 with a home run. We did so many things so well. That was the series we needed as a club going into the off-day.”

After winning a 14-11 slugfest over the Orioles on Friday despite giving up 18 hits, Houston held Baltimore’s juggernaut offense to two total runs on Saturday and Sunday behind starters Ronel Blanco and Valdez, each of whom allowed one run in seven innings of work. Valdez (6-5) allowed six hits and two walks and struck out seven batters.

"This was not our best,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “The first night was a weird one, and then we just got beat the last two by two starters that were throwing the ball really good. Blanco was really good yesterday, and then Valdez was throwing 94 mph sinkers that we just kept hitting the ball into the ground on him. Give him credit. I thought he pitched really, really well.”

The Astros got all the offense they needed in the first by scoring four times off Orioles starter Albert Suárez, sending nine batters to the plate. Altuve clubbed Suárez’s first pitch over the left-field wall for his 38th career leadoff homer, and Diaz, Peña and Dubón added RBI hits. Suárez threw 18 strikes on 22 pitches in the first inning, with Houston batters swinging at 15 of them without missing.

“There was intent behind every take, every swing, every at-bat,” Espada said. “The game plan was there. We did not let up. That’s our offense. It’s a dynamic offense that can beat you in many different ways, and we showed that against a really good team.”

Peña added a two-run double in the sixth for the Astros, who earned their first series sweep over a team with a winning record this year. They have trimmed four games off the Mariners’ lead in the AL West in the past five days and are six games back in the division as they approach the midpoint of the season.

“I think we can use this series as a trampoline and build momentum,” Espada said. “You can’t get comfortable after beating a team like Baltimore. We’ve got to keep going, and I’m sure those guys in there are ready to go.”