Astros ride 2 big innings to series win over D-backs
HOUSTON -- Jeremy Peña capped a five-run outburst in the sixth inning by hitting a three-run homer to right field to lead the Astros to an 11-5 win over the Diamondbacks on Saturday afternoon. Houston remained unbeaten in games started by Yusei Kikuchi and secured its sixth victory in a row at Minute Maid Park.
Trailing, 3-1, entering the bottom of the fourth inning, the Astros scored four runs, including a two-run, bases-loaded single by Chas McCormick that tied the game. Yordan Alvarez added an RBI single and Alex Bregman drew a bases-loaded walk to put Houston ahead, 5-3.
The D-backs cut the lead to 5-4 on a homer by Eugenio Suárez off Kikuchi before the Astros scored five times in the sixth. Yainer Diaz and Bregman had consecutive RBI singles before Peña hit an 0-1 sinker and sent it a Statcast-projected 390 feet into the Houston bullpen for a 10-4 lead.
Jose Altuve added a home run -- his 19th of the season -- in the seventh for his 14th three-hit game of the season and second in a row.
The Astros improved to 7-0 in games started by Kikuchi, who was acquired from the Blue Jays at the Trade Deadline. He threw 99 pitches (67 strikes) in six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, including two homers, while striking out six batters. The four runs allowed were his most in a Houston uniform, but the Astros’ offense made sure it didn’t matter.